Ann Arbor Civic Theatre kicks off it’s 24-25 season with a strong production of Sam Shepard’s Curse of the Starving Class. Staged at the theatre’s studio on Ann Street in downtown Ann Arbor, it is an intimate, well-acted affair of the award-winning 1977 family tragedy/comedy/thriller.
Primarily concerning the collapse of a family, with the creditors closing in, it is about far more than that, of course, with it’s smattering of philosophy, politics, human frailty, alcoholism, parental neglect, and all those luscious Shepard treats.
Amy Bogetto-Weinraub is superb as matriarch Ella (her real-life daughter Mia is terrific as her stage daughter Emma). Rob Roy likewise is excellent as patriarch Weston whose character is by far the most interesting in the play – with an outstanding ability to play bottom of the barrel alcoholic as well as high-functioning alcoholic that brings a wise nod to each extreme.
I particulary liked the performance of Benjamin Blondy as son Wesley – wisely watching everything unravel and soon following in his dad’s shadow in Shepards most blatant example of cycles of family dysfunction. He creates the evening’s most enigmatic character and is worth keeping an eye on.
Other good performances are turned in by Neil Clennan as lawyer Taylor, Marcus Caesar as bar owner Ellis, Andrew Packard as Officer Malcom, and Maureen Hamilton and Vox WilkinSchild as thugs Slater and Emerson.
Glenn Bugala directs with an assured casualness and ever-increasing pace. And sound designer Bob Skon now has a bleeting lamb sound-effect I want as my new phone ringtone.
Recommended.
Curse of the Starving Class continues at Ann Arbor Civic Theatre through October 13th. Tickets are available online at A2CT.org or by calling 734-971-2228 – The season continues with Uncle Vanya in December, Steel Magnolias in May, and Spring Awakening in June,
Mostly Musical Theatre 
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