Fully Committed

Jungle Theater

Comments (0) By Ed Huyck Wednesday, Nov 10 2010

Ann Marsden

Nathan Keepers in Fully Committed

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Fully Committed
Jungle Theater

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Fully Committed is a one-person show, though that's easy to forget while watching Nathan Keepers's high-energy performance at the Jungle Theater. Keepers takes on dozens of roles throughout the 70-minute performance, and afterward you would swear there was more than one performer onstage. Keepers's main character is Sam, a struggling actor in New York City who works the reservation line at a chic and very hot New York restaurant. It's the holidays, the other person on the phones hasn't shown up, and the line is ringing off the hook. Oh, and the customers are often beyond rude. It's a familiar story for anyone who has ever worked in a restaurant, retail, or customer service, and Becky Mode's script plays it all to the hilt—from friendly but badgering personal assistants of the stars to those trying to plead, argue, or bribe their way to a Saturday-night reservation. The phone conversations are pretty much all you need for a fun evening. Keepers embodies every one with a full character, switching with just a razor-thin pause between the mild-mannered Sam and, say, the egotistical chef. This clarity and energy help make the show a delight. The constant action, be it the ringing phone or the endless parade of problems, makes the rare quiet moments for the character all the more poignant. Sam does have a serious side that comes to the surface: He wants to succeed at his dream and be good to his family. These moments never threaten to turn this into an after-school special about responsibility, but they do give Keepers a chance to fill in all sides of Sam—and make the evening a satisfying meal rather than just a sweet dessert. $20-$25. 7:30 p.m. Tue.-Thu., 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. 2951 Lyndale Ave. S.; Minneapolis; 612.822.7063. Through December 19