What does it say when the most engaging moment in the stage adaptation of Frank Zappa's seminal triple album comes when the theatre goes dark, the cast leaves the stage, band members put down their instruments, and a recording from Zappa's album is played? It says that despite Zappa intending an eventual live-action version of Joe's Garage, some aural experiences aren't meant for visual interpretation. Open Fist opts for an absurdist style, which makes sense given Zappa's crude satirical material. But the production crosses the line of the absurd and lands firmly in the realm of sloppy. Clichéd choreography and clunky direction overshadow an impressive seven-piece orchestra, and the decent vocals are lost through a series of technical malfunctions. Joe's Garage concerns censorship and citizen control by the government and religious organizations, all overseen by a robotic narrator called The Central Scrutinizer (the voice of Michael Dunn). At its core stands Joe (Jason Paige), a garage-band guitarist whose love of music causes his downward spiral; he winds up in prison and then goes insane. Other characters in Joe's world are his first love, Mary (Becky Wahlstrom); a Scientology-style preacher, L. Ron Hoover (Mario Mosley); and a child-molesting priest (David Castellani). Paige, as the production's anchor, handles the Zappa songs with intensity, humor, and vocal power. Also impressive is Mosley. But Jennifer Lettelleir's choreography, which appears intentionally stilted and childlike, quickly becomes dull. The nondance segments are poorly paced and overly repetitive, as if director Pat Towne (who adapted the original work with Michael Franco) ran out of ideas before intermission. The biggest problem, however, is technical. Actors' microphones go off during songs, and the mix of music to vocals is widely uneven, making it difficult to hear much of the singing. Easily the brightest spot is the orchestration, directed by bassist Ross Wright. Guitarists Ken Rosser and Kevin Tiernan handle the remarkable solos. It's a shame the composer's widow Gail — acting on Zappa's request — wouldn't allow the musicians to perform the deeply emotional "Watermelon in Easter Hay." That demand means Joe's Garage must halt, before its final number, to play the original Zappa recording. Despite this quirk, and the show's significant problems, Zappa fans are likely to be excited to experience a live performance of this seminal concept album. They may even enjoy Open Fist's interpretation. Non-Zappa fans should steer clear.
Presented by and at the Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 7 p.m. Sep. 26-Dec. 20. (323) 882-6912. www.openfist.org.