“ Defending the Caveman” at The Cosmopolitan Cabaret
By Elaine Hunt
Staff Writer
This week I enjoyed 'Defending the Caveman' at the Cosmopolitan Cabaret in downtown Sacramento. Caveman traces its roots just down the road from us, having originally opened in San Francisco in 1991. After touring several cities, it opened on Broadway in 1995. 'Defending the Caveman' ran two and a half years, breaking the record as the longest running solo play in Broadway history. Photo: Cody Lyman in "Defending the Caveman" at the Cosmopolitan Cabaret
Equal parts stand-up comedy, play, and social commentary, the show was originally conceived, written, and performed by comedian Rob Becker until 2006. As the show gained popularity and began touring the country and the world, other actors began taking on the role. Here in Sacramento, the show is scheduled to run through the summer, with four actors each performing for a 3 to 4 week run. Scheduled to perform:
Cody Lyman (June 1 – June 26)
Ben Tedder (June 29 – July 17)
Paul Perroni (July 20 – August 14)
Vince Valentine (August 17 – September 11)
This show offers amazing insights regarding the differences between men and women. Those who have been exposed to this concept will probably perceive the play as a refresher course. But those who’ve never contemplated the fundamental differences between the genders will possibly experience a profound awakening. In addition to entertaining us, the show very sensibly explores our essential differences, and explains the possible biological reasons for it. When we imagine being compared to cavemen and cavewomen, we might automatically jump to the erroneous conclusion that we’re being insulted. We might picture a Neanderthal dragging his she-woman by her hair back to his lair.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Author Becker has obvious reverence for our ancestors, and appears to have done a bit of research in writing this play. According to Becker, ancient civilizations revered the other gender, and respected each others’ different talents and abilities. Sadly, what the cavemen got right 25,000 years ago, we seem to have forgotten in our “modern” age. Instead of respecting each others’ differences, we blame the other gender for not being more like ourselves, and don’t understand why they don’t get it.
Becker’s stance is that women think men are jerks. In his quest to defend men, he educates his audience about why men act the way they do. They’re not being clueless or jerks, they’re just following their biological engineering.
Before seeing the show, a person might jump to the conclusion that he plans to defend the male of the species by attacking women. Not so. Becker obviously admires women. And going one step further, he gently asserts that there is no need to defend the cave woman. As a woman, I agree wholeheartedly. I risk stepping on some toes here, but our current society reveres sensitivity, being in touch with your feelings, and being more social. These are all classically “female” traits that leave most men feeling marooned and inadequate. Becker humorously asserts that men “get” men, and when alone amongst themselves they don’t feel inadequate. It’s only around women when men feel they’re doing it wrong. But that’s no mystery. We women are quite vocal about pointing out men’s flaws and faults to them. But that’s an article of a different color. I’m supposed to review a play.
The actor/comedian I saw, Cody Lyman, has been performing Caveman since 2004. Since he’s been doing it a few years, I expected Lyman to be better at it. His pacing was a little slow. I don’t know if he was waiting to give the audience a chance to digest the material, or he was just waiting for a laugh. Whatever the reason, it worked against him. I felt like I wanted him to get to the point. And that’s certainly not something you want your audience thinking.
I’m glad to report he warmed up (or perhaps I warmed up to him) in the second act. The foundation he laid in the first act paid off and got tied up in a nice, tidy bow in the second half of the show. But credit for that may go more to the script than to the actor. I enjoyed myself, and the rest of the audience responded enthusiastically to the play and the performance. That would appear to be a huge testament to the play, that we derived great pleasure from a good performance.
And beyond laugh-out-loud funny moments, 'Defending the Caveman' offers a truly insightful examination of modern day society. The show inspires perspective, reflection, and conversation. The audience comes away with new-found understanding of the opposite sex, and perhaps we are more willing to give our spouses a well-deserved break. Given the mature subject matter, this play is definitely not for the young or those with tender ears. (By way of example, I used the word “jerk” where the play used a less ladylike term.)
Located at the corner of 10th and K Streets in downtown Sacramento, the Cosmopolitan Cabaret is an intimate setting, offering seating for only 200. It looks and feels more like a comedy club than a classic theater. As a one-man show, Caveman reminded me more of a comedy act than a standard play. The front half of the room even offers bistro-style table seating where you can order drinks or appetizers before the show.
The latest addition to the California Musical Theatre, it appears the theater company is working hard to reach a modern audience by adding the Cosmopolitan Cabaret to its theatre offerings.
'Defending the Caveman' runs through September 11, 2011. Order tickets from http://www.californiamusicaltheatre.com or call (916) 557-1999. Visit www.CosmopolitanCabaret.com for more information on upcoming shows, special events, etc. Discounts are available for groups of 12 or more by calling (916) 557-1198
Tickets are also available in advance at the Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office, 1419 H Street. All performances are at The Cosmopolitan Cabaret, 1000 K Street (at 10th street). Cabaret box office is open two hours before performances. The Cosmopolitan Cabaret is a 200-seat cabaret-style theatre, featuring 23 tables of four and seven rows of tiered seating with beverage counters. The bistro-style table seating allows you to enjoy cocktails, drinks or appetizers from the Cosmo Cafe, a new restaurant from the Paragary Restaurant Group, enjoyable as a pre-theatre dining option.
Make your dinner or lunch reservation at Cosmo Cafe by calling (916) 446-9800 or stop in before show time. The Cabaret shares the ground floor of The Cosmopolitan building at 10th and K streets with Cosmo Café, see their menu and more at www.CosmopolitanCabaret.com
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