Bad behavior is good entertainment at Hilltop

A polite meeting between two sets of parents to discuss an altercation between their adolescent sons — that’s what it is supposed to be. What it turns into is something else entirely.

Educated, socially competent adults should be able to deal with such a trivial matter in a civilized manner, shouldn’t they? Apparently not. Instead, the four adults throw civility to the winds and rip into each other like savage beasts (or children).

The Baumholder Hilltop Theater’s production of “God of Carnage,” a smart, dark-edged comedy, explores the boundaries of civilized behavior and then tramples right over them in this hilarious play by Yasmina Reza and translated by Christopher Hampton.

Michael and Veronica Novak are played by Tom Navo and Jacqui Haggerty. Alan and Annette Raleigh are portrayed by David Schwab and Melanie Robinson.
These four award-winning actors from the Baumholder and Kaiserslautern military communities take the audience on a chaotic, domestic demolition derby filled with laughs. The evening begins normally enough in the upscale home of Michael and Veronica Novak. They have just met Alan and Annette Raleigh, parents of 11-year-old Benjamin, who has whacked the Novak’s son, Henry, in the mouth with a stick. The meeting, which begins nicely over coffee and cobbler, rapidly goes downhill into a free-for-all complete with accusations, liquor, tears, fisticuffs and general bad behavior.

“We’d all prefer to live in a world where adults suppress their base natures and behave politely toward each other no matter the provocation,” said director Cheryl Navo. “‘God of Carnage’ explores a world where those masks of polite behavior are ripped away to reveal just how ugly we can be underneath.”

“God of Carnage” originally opened in Zurich in 2006. After translation, the play was performed on London’s west end. The Broadway production opened in 2009 and all four actors (Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis, James Gandolfini and Marcia Gay Harden) were nominated for Tony awards with the production winning “Best Play.” The Hilltop Theater’s performance is by special arrangement with Dramatist’s Play Service Inc.

Baumholder’s production of “God of Carnage” is billed as an adult night out complete with wine and cheese and an art exhibition. Bring your significant other, a friend or come alone. But leave the kids at home. We wouldn’t want to give them any ideas.

The Hilltop Theater is located beside Burger King (Avenue D) on Smith Barracks.
Show tickets are $14, which include wine and cheese. Tickets may be obtained at the theater or by calling 485-7244 or 06783-67244 or through the Facebook page “The Hilltop Theater.”

(Courtesy of theater volunteer Cheryl Navo)