UNDERGROUND

Actor John Ellis’ presentation of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's Notes From Underground at Greer’s Silver Chair Bookstore is the kind of ambitious play-making American theatre artists rarely undertake.

As I sat face-to-face with Ellis’ “underground man,” I was forced to reflect, consider, and wonder...not so much about this soul-ragged fellow, but myself. And I didn’t like everything I saw.

Though there were a few moments of noticing technique...of feeling the harrowing intimacy the presentation, I was mostly lost in the illusion The Devil’s Advocate Players created for me and the four other audience members who were present.

I heartily recommend that anyone within a hundred miles of The Silver Chair make an effort to catch this show. At $15 a ticket, it’s a bargain.

Ellis’ enthusiasm for theatrical intimacy is catching...here’s hoping other theatre artists in the region take note of his “underground” production.