Adam Szymkowicz's play
Bart and Arnie is a sweet, odd, funny, and relatable little play about friendship and existential angst. Using familiar characters from most of our childhoods, he explores ideas of mental health, relationships, careers, and just the difficulties of getting through the day. Melancholics Anonymous' production, now playing at The Hive Collaborative, is super sweet and genuine, and will leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling. Their work is sometimes a little dark, a little weird (they're making their debut at
Twin Cities Horror Festival this fall, which seems like it's a long time coming), but this one is dark only in the sense of dark thoughts that we all have, and weird in the most charming way.
It's playing through May 18 only, so head to The Hive for some nostalgic fun.
 |
Arnie (Clare Rolinger) and Bart (Hawken Paul)
(photo courtesy of Melancholics Anonymous) |
Similar to
Avenue Q,
Bart and Arnie tells a story for grown-ups in the style of or using characters from
Sesame Street. Everyone's favorite buddies Bert and Ernie are here called Bart and Arnie, but share a lot of traits with the originals. Bart is neat and organized and seemingly has it all together, until he starts questioning life. Arnie is scattered and perennially cheerful and goes from one thing to the next. The play is structured as a series of short vignettes, with voiceovers of a word or two introducing the topic of each. We see Bart and Arnie as they look for jobs, or worry about paying the rent, or going on a cruise, or breaking up with a boyfriend, or playing games, or going to a party. Bart worries that everyone likes Arnie better than him, and struggles to find a job while Arnie is great at everything he does (poetry, harmonica). Eventually Bart sinks into a depression, rarely leaving their apartment. But his friend never leaves his side, and helps him through the dark times.
Claire Chenoweth directs the play with a sense of playfulness and joy, but still allowing for sad or poignant moments that may just bring a tear to your eye. The frequent scene transitions are accomplished well with lighting changes and music playing while the actors reset, with really well-chosen songs that fit the mood of each scene. The two-person cast is so great at playing these polar opposite characters, with a genuine feeling of friendship between them. Hawken Paul is sweet and sincere as the socially awkward and buttoned up Bart, my heart really went out to him in Bart's dark period. On the other end of the spectrum, Clare Rolinger is a ray of sunshine as Arnie, bubbling over with smiles and energy.
 |
Bart (Hawken Paul) and Arnie (Clare Rolinger) in their room
(photo courtesy of Melancholics Anonymous) |
The look of the show is super cute (as you can see from the graphic above). The costumes hint at those familiar striped shirts, with Bart in a button down shirt and ties for every occasion. And the set has those familiar side-by-side twin beds, Bart's neatly made with no adornment, Arnie's covered with photos and stuffed animals. On Arnie's side of the room is a pile of colorful toys, while Bart has a shelf with books neatly stacked and ties neatly hung on hooks. (Costume design by Anneliese Garner, set and props design by Mady Smith, lighting design by Timothy Kelly, sound design by Bee Davis.)
Bart and Arnie is an endearing show that's sweet without being treacly, and in fact explores some pretty deep ideas. Life is hard, even for puppets, but friendship makes it easier and more fun. Even if that friend is totally different from us and a little annoying at times.
