The Echo Theater Company presents Crabs in a Bucket which is one of the funniest plays I have enjoyed this season that will keep audiences engaged during its six-week run at Atwater Village Theatre.
Jordan Hull, Anna LaMadrid, Xochitl Romero and Michael Sturgis star as — you guessed it — four crabs living in a shucking bucket. Amargo and Pootz are bitter crabs who spend their days talking chit about the crabs that got out, the ones who couldn’t take it, and the losers who still live among them.
The story begins with Amargo (Romero) and Pootz (LaMadrid) dreaming about getting the shuck out of the bucket and why its taking so long for them to do so.
The play is filled with satirical moments of the two of them reminiscing on others who “got out” and why not them?
As the audience hears the faint sound of a horn, it signals to the crabs here’s their chance to get out of the shucking bucket and into the unknown but instead of getting out, another crab joins them – vision board in hand.
Young Beb (Hull) is filled with excitement and hope as they have planned their whole life to get into the bucket so they could get out and experience life in the beyond.
Throughout the play Amargo is stewing about the fact that Mamon (Sturgis) got out of the bucket and then suddenly returns because he “failed” once he got out.
The play centers around the good that happens when you work together. When you help others get out, they then reach back and help others after them but once you get out its on you to rise to the occasion or you can end up like Mamon, back to square one.
Will Amargo and Pootz get out of the shucking bucket or will Young Beb beat them to it? How will Mamon’s return affect the trio? Will his experience on the outside change their desire to leave?
The “crabs in a bucket” trope comes from the observation that if a single crab is placed in a bucket, it can easily climb to freedom. But if there are multiple crabs, each one that tries to climb up will be pulled back down by the others, ensuring that no crab will ever make it out.
“What happens when we can’t be happy for the success of others?” asks Cubría. “Sometimes, in communities where there are limited opportunities, we think, ‘if he gets a slot, there won’t be one left for me,’ and we get down on each other. Why can’t we support one another? Whenever oppressed groups come together, we win.”
The play was inspired by Cubría’s personal experience in the Latinx theater community, but the themes are so universal that it could refer to just about any group. Director Alana Dietze, for one, was convinced when she read it that it had been written about actors.
“I love how relatable this play is, how the bucket is its own world that’s everywhere and nowhere all at once, and how clever and witty and funny the dialogue is,” she says. “For me, the metaphor is about being an artist, and how competition, ambition and petty jealousies create an environment in which people tear each other down when we should be lifting each other up.”
Crabs in a Bucket is relatable, on so many levels, the ensemble nailed it on their chemistry, timing and ability to keep the audience engaged.
It’s relatable because the audience can see either themselves or people they know in each of the crabs. The one who never sees the glass half full, the one who is overly excited and hopeful about their future and works hard to make their vision (board) a reality, and the imposter – the one who comes across as they have it all together but when its time to perform they’re not ready for primetime.
Which one are you?
The creative team behind the Echo Theater’s “bucket world” includes scenic designer Amanda Knehans; lighting designer Azra King–Abadi; sound designer Jeff Gardner; costume designer Lou Cranch; composer Arian Saleh; fight choreographer Ahmed Best; movement coach Tristan Waldron; and clowning consultant Julia Davis. The production stage manager is Irene Lee and Troy Leigh–Anne Johnson is associate producer. Chris Fields and Kelly Beech produce for the Echo Theater Company.
Crabs in a Bucket has performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 4 p.m.; and Mondays at 8 p.m. through August 21. Tickets are $34 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. All Monday night performances are pay–what–you–want.
Atwater Village Theatre is located at 3269 Casitas Ave in Los Angeles, CA 90039.
Crabs in a Bucket is family-friendly; appropriate for ages 10 and up. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (310) 307–3753 or go to www.EchoTheaterCompany.com.
