Las Vegas Fringe: Candidate Burton

What happens to us when we die? It is probably one of the oldest questions in the world, and has been unanswerable just as long. So we make up stories to try and explain it. From the myths of Orpheus and the underworld, to Dante’s The Divine Comedy, to Ghost. It’s one of the most common themes ever, and one such story comes to life (so to speak) at the Las Vegas Fringe in the form of Candidate Burton produced by QuadraNine Productions.

When Lucas Burton dies suddenly in a car crash, he finds himself on trial as to whether he can move on or take The Endless Walk, in which he will exist on earth, but be neither seen nor heard nor able to affect anything. While his advocate Paul Rock, a caveman from 140,000 years ago, tries to get his determination overturned, slick lawyer Mike Greenspell feels his low score on a metaphysical evaluation of his life should condemn him. As they view moments of his life before the Judge, Burton starts to wonder if he does actually deserve to move on.

While the theme of the play is cliched and overdone, this particular script manages to be humorous and lighthearted while still being touching and sentimental. It doesn’t really bring anything new to the table, but there isn’t anything wrong with that, as long as it is done well. And in this case, it is.

Michael Drake will capture your heart as the all-too-human Burton. He gives the character an everyman quality, a true sense that he is us.  His connection with Rose, the love interest played by Amanda Bennett, is sweet and endearing. But he also proves to be a master of comic timing and physical comedy (one prat fall he took looked like it must have hurt, but since they didn’t cart him away in an ambulance, I’ll assume it was just impressive stunt work.) And the fact that Drake strips down to adorably cute boxers, while not a highlight because of all the wicked talent flying around, is certainly a nice perk that spawned a WOOHOO! from a straight guy sitting a few seats down from me.

And the rest of the cast is just as awesome. Brandon McClenahan cleans up nice as the slimy prosecutor with a hair fetish, who is determined to send Burton on the Walk. Hating him is easy, as he derides decisions we have all made in our lives as being unworthy, and McClenahan gives him a nice coat of faux-respectability over the mean. (No stripping down for him, though, which is really a failing by the director.) And Kim Glover comes through with hysterical comedy relief as the gum-chewing secretary Miss Babar – she steals just about every scene she speaks in.

It would be wrong for me not to give major props to the tech in this production. So many visually intriguing effects. (Who knew LEDs on a hula hoop could work so well?) And even the regular lights, focusing in for certain flashback scenes, then expanding when we return to the present, were done skillfully to actually create the illusion to the audience. I’ve seen less refined tech in professional productions, so kudos to Kendra Harris (lighting) and Bob Gratrix (specialty props and effects) who I’m guessing were responsible.

Sandy Stein also deserves a mention for creating an original score for the production that truly captured the feel of what was happening. It was unobtrusive, yet at the same time, created an atmosphere that brought the audience fully into the experience. I don’t usually think about underscoring, but this made an impression on me.

From the opening moment when Burton screws up for the first time, to the final outcome – that elusive second chance so few of us ever get – Candidate Burton will move you to laughter and tears. Make a chance to see this show. Unlike our hapless hero, make a decision you won’t regret.

Candidate Burton continues at the Las Vegas Fringe on the LVLT Mainstage Thursday, June 6 @ 7:30PM; Saturday, June 8 @ 9:30PM and Sunday, June 9 @ 12:15PM.

Grade: A