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Regional Reviews: Phoenix The Nerd Also see Gil's review of She Loves Me
The plot focuses on mild-mannered architect Willum Cubbert, whose quiet life, as well as the lives of his closest friends and employer, is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of Rick Steadman, the man who saved his life in Vietnam. Willum's simple gesture of gratitude quickly turns into a nightmare of awkward behavior and escalating chaos due to Rick's unconventional nature and unusual antics. To say anymore would give away the many fun twists and turns in the plot. The Nerd had a healthy run on Broadway in 1987, and is slightly similar to playwright Shue's other fairly well-known comedy, The Foreigner, as it also combines quirky characters with escalating comic situations. At its heart, The Nerd explores friendship, gratitude, and the somewhat difficult process of setting boundaries, especially in the case of someone like Willum who doesn't know Rick that well but feels he owes him whatever he can give him since he saved his life. Shue's writing relies heavily on comic misunderstandings, uncomfortable social encounters, and outrageous behavior, which creates a fun structure in which the audience can sit back and watch the tension build as the insanity escalates and the laughs fly. The cast is great. Nick Philips finds the humor in Rick Steadman's obliviousness without simply turning him into a cartoon character or a buffoon. Philips also fully commits to the character's bizarre behavior and obnoxious ways, delivering a performance that's wacky yet also endearing and creating a character he manages to make entirely lovable. Nat Tilden gives Willum Cubbert, the successful but somewhat socially awkward architect whose life is turned upside down by Rick's arrival, an appealing mixture of decency and exasperation which makes his growing frustration easy to identify with and understand. The supporting characters provide plenty of opportunities for the rest of the cast to shine. Harleigh Irizarry brings intelligence and personality to her role of Willum's close friend and romantic interest, Tansy McGinnis, while Ryan Glover provides an energetic counterpoint, with sharp comic delivery, as Willum's friend Axel Hammond. Aaron Blanco is great as Willum's continually exasperated boss Warnock Waldgrave, and Lindsay Newhard is fun as his wife Clelia, who has the habit of breaking dishes to calm her nerves. Finn Newhard is bright and appropriately boisterous as their son, Thor. Mark-Alan C. Clemente's direction leans into the comical insanity of the play's characters and his staging, which makes great use of the various playing areas in his and JP Clemente's nice set design, keeps the focus firmly on the actors and the escalating insanity. The intimate space of the set provides an effective backdrop for the action to unfold against without distracting from the rapid-fire interactions and moments of physical comedy. With its emphasis on timing, comical reactions, and ensemble chemistry, the direction and cast manage to generate plenty of laughs as they react with disbelief to Rick's antics and navigate the increasingly uncomfortable dinner-party situations. The Nerd at Order Chaos succeeds by leaning into the play's eccentricity. The cast's commitment to the material, combined with the brisk pacing and uncomplicated staging, makes for an entertaining evening of theatrical comedy. For audiences looking for a lighthearted show filled with comical situations that escalate, colorful eccentric characters, and many laugh out loud moments, The Nerd delivers. The Nerd runs through October 4, 2026, at Order Chaos Theater Company, Herberger Theater Center, 222 East Monroe Street, Phoenix AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.orderchaostheater.org. Director: Mark-Alan C. Clemente Cast: |
