Like some sort of quirky hybrid of a Dr. Seuss story and an Abbott and Costello comedy sketch transported to the dark alleyway of a film noir, 2019’s Word on the Street is a five minute foray into the wacky world of English wordplay.
Written and directed by Austin Hillebrecht and Sean Parker, the former plays flat cap wearing Bugsy, a low-level ruffian who has heard that the word on the street is “implication”. Meeting up with fellow criminal Rat (Conor Eifler), the fedora wearing fella claims that it is “insinuation”.
Leading to a tête-à-tête between the two, the pair better get their stories straight, for it is their job to know what the hell is going down on the streets – and failure is not an option. Yet, just when they seem to be on the same page, it gets turned. . . and unexpected fists come out of the twist. Throw in a dame (Devon Rawlings) that enters the game and we have to start to wonder who is to blame.
Though this experimental piece of neo-noir really revolves around the actors’ supreme timing with the playful dialogue (when you consider that Abbott and Costello performed their iconic “Who’s On First?” sketch an estimated 15,000 times, you’d have to expect it would have taken some practice to get things flowing for this threesome), it is layered by way of eye-catching visuals that pay tribute to this bygone era of film. Featuring off kilter (and lower than normal angles), sly zoom ins, an entertaining little visual gag, and authentic costumes, the lighting (by Jace Daniel) also oozes an atmosphere of mystery, danger and intrigue. And, to complete the package, it is held together by a jazzy, suspense driven score by Bryan Minus.
Silly, fun and so very memorable, as you might imagine (when dealing with wordplay), Word on the Street flows with slick style and grace. Featuring solid performances, cheeky dialogue and spot on visuals, it is well worth a five minute visit. So, consider yourself referred as you read these many words – for I am quite sure that you will most definitely enjoy this theatre of the absurd.