Luckily, they were able to hold the bear back with sticks and screams.

‘Wild Guys’ is in its last weekend at Blue Ridge Community Theater.  Four men are out for a “man’s weekend” somewhere in the woods – somewhere because they are actually lost.  One guy believes he can access his primal man inside himself; one guy wants to reconcile with his son; one guy wants an excuse to ditch his girlfriend for the weekend; and, one guy wants a promotion beyond produce manager at a local grocery store.  Ill-prepared, they set off on a hike without food, compass and map, relying on directions from the produce manager who heard the directions from a friend.  Luckily, for entertainment, they have a six pack between them, two guys that play a mean karaoke harmonica and guitar.  It’s a recipe for a crisis.  That is where the bear comes in and lurks around backstage, a metaphor for their fear about finding answers in life’s emotional wilderness.

As crazy as their predicament sounds, their comical approaches to solving the outdoor predicament and the predicaments of their lives makes the show crazy funny.  The play encourages the audience that everyone can re-examine the disconnect between how they look on the surface versus the deep pains in their heart.  And, it reminds the audience that getting lost is sometimes the best way to find yourself. ‘Wild Guys’ got a standing ovation for the performance the night FetchYourNews was in the audience.

Hilarious lines delivered with perfect timing is the surface comedy that the audience gets; the costumes are the deep comedy.  The produce manager desperately seeking a more successful life wears his dream vision of himself in the form of a blue t-shirt with a big, triangular superman logo plastered across his chest.  The “primal man” is dressed like a hippy-dippy New Age complete with slightly shaggy hair, leather and hemp necklaces and a huge crystal he uses to channel the energy of whatever New Age philosophy he is believing at this time.  The 50-something lawyer, who is ditching his 20-something girlfriend for the weekend, has not a hair out of place and wears olive green  monotone “camping” clothing that looks like it comes from an Orvis catalog.  The fourth man, the one who arranges the experience, has every look of a very successful man who wants to prove to people he is just an everyday guy.  His “everyday guy” camouflage shorts have not a rip or dirt splotch upon them.  His “everyday guy” t-shirt looks more like a t-shirt that wicks up sweat, has copper threads so no “manly” smell lingers on and may have its own built in air-conditioner.  Of course, his backpack is completely image appropriate and probably the most expensive backpack at the store.

Sonia Smith directs ‘Wild Guys’, and Renee Roberts is the Assistant Director.  The four wild guys are played by Bill Szarowicz, Rick Siefken, Steve Burton and Mike Dunham.  Remaining shows are Friday, Oct. 14  at 7:30 pm, Saturday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, Oct. 16 at 2 pm.