ACTORS BRING CYBERSPACE TO STAGE IN `BURNING CHROME'.Byline: Julio Martinez Julio Martinez is the weekly host of KPFK Radio’s Arts in Review, is a theatre critic for Daily Variety and Features Editor of Latin Heat Magazine. His articles have appeared in Los Angeles Times Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, Backstage West, L.A. Special to the Daily News Those who attempt to adapt a science-fiction novel to the stage run the risk of circumventing the writer's greatest asset: the space- and time-defying imagination of the reader. Such is the case with the Steve Pickering/Charley Sherman adaptation of William Gibson's futuristic cyberspace adventure, ``Burning Chrome Burning Chrome (ISBN 0-06-053982-8) is a collection of short stories written by William Gibson. Most of the stories take place in Gibson's Sprawl, an anonymous, shared setting for most of his cyberpunk work. .'' Despite the imaginative staging of Scott Rabinowitz and the efforts of a talented, energetic ensemble, this Sacred Fools Theater Company production is ultimately defeated by its inability to transport the audience into the danger-laden, virtual world of cyber cowboys Jack (Adam Bitterman), Bobby (David Holcomb) and their self-destructive lady-love, Rikki Wildside (Piper Henry). Gibson, who coined the term cyberspace (``where all the computer data lives'') in his 1984 novel, ``Neuromancer,'' and on whose book ``Burning Chrome'' (1987), the play is based, has invented a moody, noirish world of ultimate corporate world domination “World conquest” redirects here. For other uses, see World domination (disambiguation). The concept of world domination (sometimes world conquest) has long been a popular theme in both history and fiction. where the discontented dis·con·tent·ed adj. Restlessly unhappy; malcontent. dis  con·tent , disconnected masses are sated sate 1 tr.v. sat·ed, sat·ing, sates 1. To satisfy (an appetite) fully. 2. To satisfy to excess. by life-numbing virtual realities, simulated sex (``consensual hallucination'') and a highly addictive state of ``better living through chemistry.'' Hovering over everyone's existence is the all-powerful mob queen, Chrome (Tenny Priebe), whose megabillion-dollar fortune is hidden within cyberspace and protected by ``black I.C.E. (Intrusion Countermeasure Electronics (security, jargon) Intrusion Countermeasure Electronics - (ICE) A contrived acronym for security software, coined by Usenetter Tom Maddox and popularised by William Gibson's cyberpunk SF novels. ),'' a decidedly lethal form of computer-network security system. Performed in the self-narrating style of Paul Sill's ``Story Theatre,'' this chronicle of the super-hacking efforts of Jack and Bobby to heist Chrome's loot is overdependent on each character's ability to describe or demonstrate the adventures going on in his or her own mind and body. The ongoing competition between the dashing, danger-loving Bobby and the life-weary, sober-minded Jack for the affections of Rikki does not offer enough subplot sub·plot n. 1. A plot subordinate to the main plot of a literary work or film. Also called counterplot, underplot. 2. A subdivision of a plot of land, especially a plot used for experimental purposes. vitality to overcome what is not there in the main story. Bitterman offers an outstanding portrayal of the one-armed war vet who can only gaze sadly at the decaying humanity that surrounds him. His Jack handles the film noir film noir (French; “dark film”) Film genre that offers dark or fatalistic interpretations of reality. The term is applied to U.S. films of the late 1940s and early '50s that often portrayed a seamy or criminal underworld and cynical characters. dialogue with a reassuring honesty, even when called upon to rip off Sam Spade's ``Maltese Falcon'' gem, ``When it's your partner you're supposed to do something about it.'' Holcomb is quite effective as the tormented hacker genius with the matinee-idol looks who only feels truly alive while he is performing one of his cyberspace invasions. Lending solid support are Henry as the poignant but tragically misguided cyber star wanna-be and Patrick Towne as the Finn, the understated deal-maker who also serves as one of the production's principal narrators. Set/lighting designer Aaron Francis incorporates a wide variety of set pieces and props but does little to create a believable environment for this earnest but ultimately unsatisfying cyberspace odyssey. The facts What: ``Burning Chrome.'' Where: Sacred Fools Theater, 660 N. Heliotrope heliotrope (hē`lēətrōp') [Gr.,=sun-turning] or turnsole, name for any plant that turns to face the sun, especially members of the genus Heliotropium of the family Boraginaceae. Drive, Hollywood. When: Performances 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; through Oct. 16. Tickets: $10. Call (310) 281-8337. Our rating: Two stars CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO Adam Bitterman is cyberspace cowboy Jack in ``Burning Chrome,'' a play based on the book by William Gibson. |
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