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The Adding Machine

Foothill College Drama Department

May 30-June 15, 2008

Avg. Event Rating (3.7 Stars): Add Review/Comment

The Adding Machine, a comic, expressionistic masterpiece written by Elmer Rice. Directed by Foothill Theatre Arts Instructor Tom Gough, the play follows the exploits of Mr. Zero, a hard-working, psuedo-Everyman, as he toils through his rather inconsequential existence, a nameless human cog in a vast business engine. After years of dedication to his job, he finds himself out on his ear-replaced by a machine. Mr. Zero does not take this news lightly, and his choices soon send him on a path through various stages of the afterlife to discover the true nature of his menial existence. The Adding Machine directly addresses the question of advancing technology at what cost to personal humanity. While our society is becoming more connected to each other at a staggering rate, it begs the questions what is the quality of this interfacing and is our connectivity detached and ultimately de-humanizing? This production emphasizes the relationship between man and machine.

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• Ticket Info

  Tickets: $8-$16

  Info Phone: 650-949-7360

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• Dates & Times

  Dates:
  May 30-June 15, 2008

  Times:
  5/30, 5/31, 6/5, 6/6, 6/7, 6/12, 6/13, 6/14: 8pm
  6/8 & 6/15: 2pm

• Venue Info

  Lohman Theatre - Foothill College

  12345 El Monte Road Los Altos, CA 94022

  Full map and directions

• Parking Info

  Use Student Parking Lot 8 for parking adjacent to the new theatre (including handicapped access). A $2 parking fee required at all performance times. Permit dispensing machines may be found in the parking lots.

• Accessibility Info

• NOTE: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate, however it's a good idea to visit the website or call the venue to verify the information.

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  • Event Name: The Adding Machine
    "A Striking Commentary on the Modern Mechanics of Humanity"
    Review posted by: Drew Moore from San Jose, CA, Jun 11, 2008
    

    I have seen multiple plays at Foothill, and Adding Machine is one of the best. The cast does a great job of fulfilling the challenging demands of expressionism, and Tom Gough's able direction... Expand

    I have seen multiple plays at Foothill, and Adding Machine is one of the best. The cast does a great job of fulfilling the challenging demands of expressionism, and Tom Gough's able direction steers them well. There were impressive performances all around, but I was particularly impressed by Alex Hero as Mr. Zero and Suzanne Poulson as Miss Daisy, definitely the best work I have seen from them both. Sarah Griner also fills the stage with her commanding presence as the tour guide. This show requires some energy on the part of the audience as it is not a typical piece of theatrical realism, but stick with the action. You'll be glad you did. Collapse

  • Event Name: The Adding Machine
    "COUNT THE WAYS!!!!"
    Review posted by: Uncle Sam from San Jose, CA, Jun 08, 2008
    

    OMG! Loved it! Spooky show. Very very strange, and takes a while to get used to. It's a type of show that you'll only see a couple of times in your theatre life. Intimate staging in the brand new... Expand

    OMG! Loved it! Spooky show. Very very strange, and takes a while to get used to. It's a type of show that you'll only see a couple of times in your theatre life. Intimate staging in the brand new Lohman theatre. Acting is HIGHLY stylized, but the style by definition is apart of the EXPRESSIONIST genre. I'm a theatre guy, and I loved the show. Check out the weird makeup/costumes/body positions. Mr./Mrs. Zero both good, along with Daisy and the Army fellow at the end. Check out the Fixer in the end of the first act, and Shirdlu throughout Act 2. Impressive stuff. Shirdlu was something to be seen. In two seconds Shirdlu goes from tortured weeping to calm relatable church member. There is one week left I believe to see the show. Take the time to go to Foothill and watch. And the new theatre means NO STAIRS!!!!! Hahahah. Collapse

  • Event Name: The Adding Machine
    "Tries way to hard to be odd..."
    Review posted by: Steve from California, Jun 07, 2008
    

    But it fails miserably. The first act was terrible. It seemed like it had potential to be good but never was. I believe this was because of bad direction. One good actor came out of this whole thing:... Expand

    But it fails miserably. The first act was terrible. It seemed like it had potential to be good but never was. I believe this was because of bad direction. One good actor came out of this whole thing: The student playing the character of Shirdlu was hilarious... However his amazing skill was not enough to save this play. 1.5 stars only because of Shirdlu... Collapse

  • Event Name: The Adding Machine
    "Great performances....play loses steam after intermission"
    Review posted by: Greg from Palo Alto, Jun 07, 2008
    

    What a great play, and some amazing performances. The actors playing Mr. Zero and his wife ramp up the dark comedy in the fist half with a couple fantastic exchanges. Though a simple set, these two... Expand

    What a great play, and some amazing performances. The actors playing Mr. Zero and his wife ramp up the dark comedy in the fist half with a couple fantastic exchanges. Though a simple set, these two really draw you in to set the stage for what you hope would be a strong finish. However, the second half is a little diluted with some over done performances by supporting actors, and this distracted from the story and the other performances. But overall, worth seeing and in parts extremely well done! Collapse

  • Event Name: The Adding Machine
    "Excellent"
    Review posted by: Ray from Palo Alto, Jun 05, 2008
    

    Go see this show and expose yourself to a different kind of theatre experience. It's over the top style is probably more of the type of political theatre that you would only see in parts of Europe... Expand

    Go see this show and expose yourself to a different kind of theatre experience. It's over the top style is probably more of the type of political theatre that you would only see in parts of Europe these days. These young actors really get it and the deliver a fantastic show. Collapse

  • Event Name: The Adding Machine
    "WONDERFULLY STRANGE"
    Review posted by: T Wilkins from Sunnyvale, CA, Jun 04, 2008
    

    Delightfully offbeat, poignant and humorous. A real change of pace from conventional theater with some terrific performances by the talented student cast. Takes a few scenes to get used to, but great... Expand

    Delightfully offbeat, poignant and humorous. A real change of pace from conventional theater with some terrific performances by the talented student cast. Takes a few scenes to get used to, but great story that leaves you to think about a few things. Definitely worth checking out in Foothill's comfy new theater. Collapse

  • Event Name: The Adding Machine
    "Metropolis meets Eraserhead meets Our Town"
    Review posted by: NM from Los Altos, Jun 02, 2008
    

    Striking a powerchord in the realm of Industrial Art, kudos to Foothill College Theater's production of "The Adding Machine," for pushing the envelope. Outstanding performances by Alex Hero as Mr.... Expand

    Striking a powerchord in the realm of Industrial Art, kudos to Foothill College Theater's production of "The Adding Machine," for pushing the envelope. Outstanding performances by Alex Hero as Mr. Zero (can that be true?), Peggy Lynch his venom-spitting wife, Suzie Poulson as the "Divine" Miss Devore and Daniel Mitchell as Shirdlu, laced with strong supporting and ensemble performances contribute to deliver a proletarian punch with Ionescotian intensity. The way-new Lohman Theater contributes to the stark nuance of this production, bringing Bruce McLeod's set and Julie Engelbrecht's delicious costumes (love the shoes!) into Burtonesque full-bloom. Sound, lighting and obscure video, add to make the production a total sensory package. Collapse

  • Event Name: The Adding Machine
    "Wow...."
    Comment posted by: Micheal Rios from San Jose, Ca, Jun 01, 2008
    

    Expressionism meets the popular culture of Tim Burton and Danny Elfman. I was at the circus with a interesting flare. Very enjoyable.

    Expressionism meets the popular culture of Tim Burton and Danny Elfman. I was at the circus with a interesting flare. Very enjoyable.

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