Most people have some goal they want to reach, something that will be a challenge. Certainly, we are not content to just take our lot. Neither is Joe Average, but his goal is actually to be a lesser man than he is.
Joe Average is a guy whose only goal in life is to live up to his name. But mediocrity and normalcy aren’t in the cards for Joe. As it turns out, Joe Average is anything but that.
“The Life and Death of Joe Average” is a play written and directed by sophomore theater major Matt Chorpenning. It begins its three-day run in the Pocket Playhouse today.
As the play opens, we see Joe Average having just graduated college and being given an entry-level position at a urinal-mint company. With this bright future ahead of him, Joe rushes off to propose to his girlfriend. As Joe is down on one knee proposing, she is so happy that she promptly dies. Upon finding this out, the mother of the unfortunate girl also keels over.
One might think that this play is turning out to be rather sad, but it is surprisingly humorous. It isn’t a dark comedy; it’s just funny. According to Chorpenning, the audience is supposed to have a good laugh at Joe’s expense. We don’t feel guilty about doing this because Joe takes everything with a grain of salt and somehow manages to get back on top — until something else happens.
This light-hearted play has no great purpose and no catharsis — it may not even have a point. But what it does have is hilarious absurdity. Joe’s father went insane after his mother died from a fatal addiction to canned cat food. As a result of this insanity, Joe’s father believes he is the Virgin Mary and that his son, Joe, is Jesus. Of course, that’s only when he doesn’t take his medication.
Ultimately, “Joe Average” gives audiences a much-needed emotional break. It is the only one of the five shows being performed in the Pocket this term that is a pure comedy. It reminds us that sometimes legitimate theater doesn’t need to do much more than cause a little laughter.
“Joe Average” runs today through Saturday at 5 p.m.