FringeNYC 2013: Breaking Kayfabe

Review by Mel House · August 12, 2013

Kayfabe is a wrestling term that means “top secret,” and also refers to the practice of maintaining the illusion that wrestling is 100% genuine. In other words, wrestling is real and what you see on television is reality.

In the theatre of wrestling there are heroes and villains. Once in a while a character turns and is no longer a heel, or “bad” guy. That might be up to the promoters, but sometimes that decision is influenced by the fans.

Breaking Kayfabe is the story of an athlete and performer. A boy with a dream. A talented young prodigy on the rise. A professional wrestler that turns. Pressure. Temptation. Pride. Tragedy. And a terrible moment that can never be undone.

This beautiful story, created by Temar Underwood, blends multimedia docudrama with live in-ring action.

We meet the legendary pro-wrestler Barry Dorchester (Adam Swiderski) on the day that he decides to break his silence about the life-changing Nassau Coliseum Incident. He sits down with podcast interviewer Dan Broday (Aldous Davidson).

Underwood takes us into the childhood of Dorchester through a comedic, but loving, photo montage of Dorchester’s hippie parents and his early life in Cleveland. Projection design from Fez Empire Productions and GWF Animation from Richard Ruiz helps to lift and activate the exposition of the early years. The backdrop screen also helps wrestling novices to get hip to important wrestling lingo, like kayfabe, heel, bump or mark. And as we are led further into the world of wrestling, various wrestlers throw down hilarious promotional challenges.

A functional wrestling ring occupies center stage. Bright blue and red, it’s bold and almost patriotic. A table stage right creates space for your ring-side announcers, or a private office. Stage left holds a small table, two chairs, and a laptop for recording the interview. All backed by a giant screen. G. Warren Stiles must be commended for this sleek perfectly poised set! In fact, the entire design team has created a seamlessly polished aesthetic that allows the audience to focus exclusively on the story.

Breaking Kayfabe is supported by a wonderful cast. I was particularly taken with Brian Silliman’s portrayal of Rawlston Redman, and Dale Thomas Krupla’s effortless switch between Ike Nixon, Matty Thriller and other wrestlers. They are joined by Luke Guldan, playing the Young Barry, and Christopher Baron, playing The Ref, Sniper and other wrestlers. The live in-ring action is outstanding! Fight choreographer “The Greek God” Papadon deserves much credit, as do the co-directors Scott Casper and Temar Underwood.

Pro-wrestling is a performance art, and this team made it happen.

My recommendation: Get in the ring! Come down to The Lynn Redgrave Theater, Venue #14, and get knocked out by Breaking Kayfabe.