Theater group sets high standard

Jerry Fink

Saturday, April 15, 2006 | 7:35 a.m.

What: "This Is our Youth"

When: 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, through April 28; additional late-night performances at 1 a.m. April 21 and April 28

Where: Las Vegas Little Theatre, inside the Fischer Black Box, at 3920 Schiff Drive, near Valley View Boulevard and Spring Mountain Road

Admission: $15

Information: 255-2771

Rating (out of five):

The newly formed New American Theatre Project has set some awfully high standards for itself with its first production, Kenneth Lonergan's "This Is our Youth."

Great acting. Great direction. Great set.

This is what theater is all about, or should be.

Will it be able to sustain itself with future productions?

Based upon the talent that was on display when the play premiered Thursday night, that should not be a problem.

True fans of theater should not hesitate to attend a performance of the production - especially since the engagement is limited and the theater small (only 50 seats).

The company is made up of performers from "Le Reve" at Wynn Las Vegas. The cast members in "Youth" are Jim Slonina, who plays a clown in a white tuxedo in "Le Reve"; Wayne Wilson, who initially played the role of The Dreamer in Franco Dragone's water-based production; and Carmen Tausend, one of the many aquatic performers.

Slonina and Wilson are co-founders of the New American Theatre Project, which they created out of a frustration over not being able to express their full range of talents in the spectacular production at Wynn.

"Youth" was directed by Gregg Curtis, who plays Spencer in "Le Reve." (He also is the director of the Los Angeles-based aerial troupe AiRealistic).

This was Curtis' first attempt at directing traditional theater.

He stepped up to the plate and hit a home run, with bases loaded.

Not bad for a rookie.

For its first effort, the company chose a meaty but simple production that allowed the cast to demonstrate a wide range of emotions without tripping over special effects or complex dialogue.

Too often production companies try to reach too far and end up not being able to live up to the expectations.

"Youth" was a perfect launch vehicle.

Lonergan's play was first performed off-Broadway in 1996. It is set in the Upper West Side of New York City in 1982.

The story centers on three young adults: Warren Straub (Wilson), who has stolen $15,000 from his wealthy and abusive father; Dennis Ziegler (Slonina), a drug dealer; and Jessica Goldman (Tausend), a student at a fashion school.

Each is tied to his or her parents and can't seem to break the bond.

Straub lives with his father but has been kicked out (taking the cash as he leaves). He goes to Ziegler for refuge.

Ziegler's parents rent an apartment for him so they don't have to deal with him in their own home. Goldman lives with her mother, who controls her life.

There is a lot of humor.

And there is tragedy.

The characters are locked into a world that they want to escape but haven't the strength to do so.

Ultimately the story is an examination about the meaninglessness of their lives.

Slonina, Wilson and Tausend were perfect in their roles, never overacting but at the same time squeezing every ounce of emotion from every scene.