Wasatch Theatre’s Rich Psychological Comedy Ideation Brings Anxious and Entertaining Laughs to Salt Lake City

By Brian Thomas

When you first enter the Wasatch Theatre Company stage in Salt Lake City to see the production of Ideation by Aaron Loeb, you might not expect much from the minimal set (design by Rufus Zae JoDeus). Consisting of a conference table, a few chairs, and a whiteboard that seems to float amongst gray spray-painted strips of plastic, the set resembles, in some ways, how the play will begin: simple, clean, and somewhat abstract. Yet, the set itself evolves with play as the plot progresses, as paper is flung around, chairs are rearranged, and the audience notices that the spray-painted strips of plastic are actually strips of caution tape, a grave forewarning of what is to occur within this 90-minute corporate brainstorming session.

Indeed, the plot of the play echoes the definition of the word “ideation”. “Ideation” is a noun that means “the formation of ideas or concepts”. In business lingo, ideation is a process of generating new ideas from abstractions into realizations. While this might be used in a corporate setting meaning to collaborate synergistically in a collective process, it takes on a whole new meaning for the characters of Ideation.

The play opens with intern Scooter(Sterling Shane Allen) contemplating a common piece of corporate equipment: the teleconference speaker. Enter Hannah (Stacey Jensen), his boss, fast-paced and domineering, as they await the arrival of Ted (Jeffrey Owen), Brock (Tyler Fox), and Sandeep (Abhiijith Harikumar), returning from a business trip in Greece, to discuss a new, highly challenging project. Character expositions are established early on, with corporate power dynamics and politics at the forefront as each character settles into their established position: Hannah as the in-line lean-forward project manager, Brock as the confident initiator/advisor, Ted as the driver (with a hankering for scones), and Sandeep as the expert (with a hankering for office romance). As a team, they answer to JD (Jamie Allen Rocha) the omnipresent boss overseeing the project.

As the opening rapidly escalates with the firing of the portentous intern, the play then slowly unveils itself. Beginning with the three ominous rules, the team begins to spitball idea in a brainstorming session that is not immediately clear to the audience. After some back and forth about “liquidations,” “disposals” and “crematoriums,” the team takes an aside to contemplate the grave (pun) ramifications of the assignment that they are tasked: to create an efficient disposal system for millions of corpses in the event of a mass biological catastrophe. Sure, it may seem impolite to talk about these matters in such a flippant matter, but they weren’t hired for their morality, but rather, their efficiency. In the ensuing moments that would make Jean Francois-Lyotard smirk, the group synergy confronts a breakdown as tensions rise in their struggles to complete an operable strategy to satisfy the project scope.

The entire play is enthralling, not only due to the plot, but the compelling acting accomplished by the cast. It would be difficult to select a standout performance, though Fox definitely meets the expectations of the role as a project initiator, as he antagonizes and then crumbles in his growing paranoia. Jensen also plays her role as Hannah with an intriguing depth and exploration. Admittedly, while the character of Sandeep does not occupy as large of a role, the transitions from confident expert to lusty romantic to sophisticated neurotic is perhaps the most difficult role, which Harikumar handles deftly. Finally, Owens plays the foil of a pragmatist driver with ease and proficiency.

For the past several years, in my experience, Wasatch Theatre Company has gained a reputation of producing smart, sophisticated plays while operating on a restricted budget. While working in an incredibly confined space, the company has nevertheless managed to captivate audiences with their ambitious productions. They can certainly be counted on to bring unique and extraordinary plays to Salt Lake City. This is the regional premier of Ideation, which I highly recommend before it closes. You may not have an opportunity to see this caliber of theatre in quite some time.

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Ideation by Aaron Loeb at the Wasatch Theatre Company in Salt Lake City runs roughly 90 minutes without an intermission. Seating is very limited. Arrive early to find street parking, or pay for parking at the Gateway. This play would be appropriate for audiences over 13 and for anyone taking a business class.

Wasatch Theatre Company presents Ideation by Aaron Loeb
Wasatch Theatre Company, 124 South 400 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
May 24-25, May 31-June 1, 7:30 PM, May 26 Matinee, 2:00 PM
Tickets: $20
Contact: 801-869-4600
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