Continuing my Pittsburgh Theatre Gems series, in this post I'll be talking about Bricolage Theatre, and their current show, Neighborhood 3:Requisition of Doom.

Neighborhood 3 takes place in a the cookie-cutter suburbs, where the parents have recently become concerned over their teenagers' intense addiction to the newest online video game: Neighborhood 3.  The new game Neighborhood 3 boasts new satellite technology that uploads a setting that mirrors their actual neighborhood plan. The goal of this game? Fight through a bunch of zombies to escape the neighborhood permanently (no matter how many zombies (or people) they had to kill in the process) via the "Last Chapter " or "Final House." The more addicted the teens become to this game, the more the line between their real neighborhood, and its mirror copy within the game becomes blurred, and horrifying events begin to happen, in what was once a peaceful 'burb.  

Featuring Bricolage's founder, Tami Dixon, as well as Jacqueline Farkas, Tony Bingham, Bjorn Ahlstedt and Randy Kovitz playing various neighbors in their community. Even though it is a small cast, it is a very strong cast.  Speaking in broken dialect (like in video game), each actor held their own, with spot-on comedic timing and a sense of intrigue that was intensely built up until the "final chapter, and climax, of the show.  

The set is well-constructed, architectually pleasing and even features a pop-up, poster-ridden bedroom to increase the intensity of the final scene.  Both the set and the plot play with mirror images and feature cut-out homes that feed into the cookie-cutter, suburbanite environment. 

In keeping with the video game-vibe, each scenes are punctuated by blackouts, and a booming voice, giving gaming instructions, like "walk three blocks and turn to your left. Pick up the white hedge clippers to increase your Ruthless Points to twelve." As the play continues, all the factors roll into one, allowing even the audience to feel like they are part of the game.  

Mixing a perfect blend of humor and horror, Bricolage's Neighborhood 3 is a must-see this fall. Luckily, you still have several weekends to get down to Liberty Avenue, and at $20 a ticket, you cant beat a quality show for that price!