In the basement of a New York church, five Irish men meet every Wednesday to discuss their “tiny problem,” aptly coined the “Irish curse.” One rainy night, a lost stranger enters their tight-knit circle and forces the men to reveal hidden secrets and to face unholy truths. Although plagued by its own inadequacies, “The Irish Curse” still delivers a feel good play, leaving the audience with a deep-seeded appreciation for comforting integrity.
For all its dramatic shortcomings, “The Irish Curse” boasts spectacular set design. Capturing the oppressive feeling of a Catholic church basement, Thomas A. Walsh’s set adds to the play’s bizarreness, especially considering the vulgar subject matter. Golden fleurs-de-lis dot the chestnut brown wallpaper. Uncomfortable metal chairs are stacked neatly to the side. A crucifix judgmentally hangs on the wall, and a statue of Mother Mary and Baby Jesus apprehensively stares down on the obscene self-help group as they discuss their lacking size. Without a doubt, the setting provides oodles of sacrilegious entertainment, as well as irresistible irony.
As superb as the set is, the play’s overacting is not. Whether it is the fault of the director, the writer or the actors, the origin of this exaggeration is unknown. To that end, the actors struggle to find a muted reality for their sensational characters. Resorting to yelling contests on every whim, the actors need to acquire a different way of communicating hostility. A single glance can evoke the same emotion without the excess rants and raves. Needing to be toned down, the overacting forces the production to a full stop, cutting short its easygoing, informal flow.
Not a victim of the group’s dramatic tendencies, Joe Pacheco wonderfully portrays Father Kevin, a soft-spoken, accepting priest. Understanding the sophisticated idiosyncrasies of the Boston accent, Pacheco fulfills his character without resorting to over-the-top gestures and religious stereotypes. Even with his occasional propensity to swear, Pacheco’s Kevin unilaterally maintains a deep, spiritual communion with God. Light and delicate, his performance stirs fleeting pity and overpowers with intelligent humor and robust energy.
Thanks to playwright Martin Casella, Pacheco has a wealth of story to work with. In fact, it is not limited to Father Kevin; the entire cast is ripe with detailed characters and rich backstories. Cocky college student Rick Baldwin (Austin Herbert) repeatedly tells of his numerous sexual exploits, all of which are at the expense of his long-time girlfriend.
As the performance continues, his debauchery leads the group to question his wavering moral compass and to discover his stories were all a well-intentioned ploy. Expressing many mistakes and regrets, every character is hopeful for a different tomorrow. Although slightly kitschy, the characters’ unrelenting trials are inspiring.
Riddled with shortcomings, “The Irish Curse” veers towards the melodramatic. However, the characters’ depth and the play’s taboo topic make “The Irish Curse” memorable and heartwarming.
Playing at the Odyssey Theatre, “The Irish Curse” will continue its run through August 26. Tickets cost $25 to $30, and the theater is located at 2055 South Sepulveda Blvd. in Los Angeles.
Natalia Evdokimova has been involved with theater throughout her life and has reviewed theatrical productions for local and citywide publications since 2005.