HELLCAB @ Profiles Theatre

Will Kern's Hellcab tells the story of a Russian immigrant turned Chicago cab-driver & his horrible Christmas Eve. It was first produced in 1992 by Famous Door Theatre & was originally intended to be a late-night show with 12 performances. Instead, it became one of Chicago's longest-running shows by running almost a decade. Will Kern also adapted the screenplay & directed the 1997 film Chicago Cab, which appeared Austin's 1998 South By Southwest Filmfest & featured an all-star ensemble cast including Julianne Moore, John C. Reilly, Gillian Anderson, John Cusack, Laurie Metcalf, & Tracy Letts. 

The setting was clearly Chicago & clearly the 1990's [as was clearly displayed by the $4 dollar fares]. As someone who transplanted to Chicago, I am somewhat familiar with the current, local culture but removed from this different & darker Chicago of the 1990's. The production did a brilliant job of creating a picture of this world this strangely familiar yet starkly different culture. The set [designed by Shaun Renfro] required minimal elements of design, but every aspect was extremely well-done. The managed to acquire a real-car & splattered the walls of the theatre were with authentically-executed graffiti to skillfully construct yesterday's Chicago. 

Konstantin Khrustov & Darrell Cox

In this 20th Anniversary Production, Director & Profiles Co-Artistic Director Darrell W. Cox chose to cast one actor for each of the 34 roles [the original production was comprised of a 6-person cast]. I'm not 100% sure how I feel about this decision, but I am more in favor of it than opposed. It was definitely a perk to allow the audience to get to know each new character as an individual while simultaneously allowing us to relate to the constant flow people dropping in on the cab-driver's life. It also allowed each character to be cast with specific regard to the parameters of their role rather than the appeal of being able to pull off several roles. The con of this casting decision is that it costs the audience the ability to fully appreciate the skill-sets that these 34 actors, all of whom presented pristine performances. From the couple requiring the nearest motel to the trash-talking Yankees fans to the recently raped woman in shock, every actor was a pitch-perfect casting choice. The highlight of this cast was undoubtedly the man behind the wheel: Konstantin Khrustov played our cab-driver & he could not have been better. He worked well with the constant, constrictive struggle that plagues all workers in tip-based industries: having to deal with & depend on the tip-givers. His physicality was spot-on because his subtle interactions with the steering wheel, the elements, & the cab itself provided a consistent undertone of authenticity. He created an engaging, surprising, & enriching character whose quiet humor & intriuging perspective provided an impeccable performance [& production]. This one's a winner--go see it!