Finer Noble Gases

Since heading off to Kentucky for an apprenticeship with the famed Actors Theater of Louisville, Robert Simmons has peeped back on the Charlotte scene a couple of times. Now after a powerful lead last month in Victory Pictures' Kiss of the Spider Woman, he's back as production manager of Finer Noble Gases. Better still, he's rejoined his dad, Michael, as VP of development at Vic Pix. The significance of that comes clear from the moment you enter the Central Avenue Playhouse. With this magnificently detailed set, with superbly executed lighting, sound, make-up, costuming and electronic effects, the Simmons family enterprise has jumped back into the lead as the most technically accomplished fringe group in town.

Credit the younger Simmons for unearthing this disturbing drama by Adam Rapp, a graduate of Louisville's famed Humana Festival of 2002. And credit the elder Michael Simmons, who directs, for getting his young cast to credibly evoke this strange East Village ambience, blending the absurd inertia of Sam Beckett with the naturalistic violence of Sam Shepard.

Eric Blake, who earned CL Newcomer of the Year honors in 2001, is the standout as Staples, but Derek Gamba has plenty of fine moments as fellow superslacker Chase. The three major food groups among these stoned roommates are blue, pink and yellow pills. Peeing is done into an upturned drumhead from their extinct rock band.

This is not the show you'll want to take your children to. Or your mom. It's a mesmerizing, bloody trip.