Review : 'Junk' Entertainingly Revisits the Reagan Era

Burbage Theatre Company's "Junk" is a wildly entertaining look at the excesses of Reagan-era greed, a time when Wall Street investors launched hostile corporate takeovers and made themselves very wealthy in the process.

"Junk" debuted on Broadway in 2017. It was nominated for the 2018 Tony Award for Best Play. For the Burbage production, director Jeff Church ("Macbeth") has assembled a stellar group of actors to bring this decadent world to life. Although "Junk" runs two and a quarter hours, the action never flags. We see deals being made, alliances formed, and orders given. It's a fascinating view into a world of meetings in posh restaurants, where men in tailored suits plot and scheme to enrich their investors without any consideration to the negative impact on innocent people.

Anthony Goes ("A Streetcar Named Desire") is mesmerizing as master manipulator Robert Merkin, a financial wizard who engineers the takeover of a Pennsylvania steel company.

Merkin is an unapologetic predator, a man who is told by his supportive wife (wonderfully played by Allison Crews) that he is creating wealth for people. What he's really doing is playing by his own set of rules. To him, debt is an asset. His business acumen and ability to toy with the markets earns him the cover of TIME and the disdain of many. It's reminiscent of the villainous tycoon Gordon Gekko (played by Michael Douglas) in the movie "Wall Street."

Merkin's cohorts include the slimy entrepreneur Izzy Peterman (Michael Thibeault, last seen in "Everybody"), who speaks in coarse vulgarities and salivates at the thought of adding the steel company to his growing list of acquisitions.

Thibeault is amusing to watch as this crafty opportunist, as is James Lucey ("The School for Lies") as another corporate titan with a colorful vocabulary.

Aaron Morris ("Titus Andronicus") delivers a powerful turn as the owner of the steel company, who is fighting on behalf of his family legacy and his employees. Morris imbues this character with tremendous heart and passion as he fears Merkin's attempt to gain ownership will destroy jobs.

Other standouts in the large cast include Zach Gibb ("Waiting For Godot") as one of Merkin's hapless flunkies taking orders on an oversized cell phone; Darby Wilson as an ambitious reporter hoping to cash in on Merkin's notoriety; and Andrew Stigler ("Julius Caesar") as a rich businessman who loathes Merkin's tactics and gets pulled into the fight for the steel company.

Playwright Ayad Akhtar provides an incisive look at what motivates men like Merkin to play roulette with the livelihoods of thousands of people. Merkin's corruption impacts everything he touches and leaves no one unharmed. Akhtar also points a dagger at capitalism. One character notes how the "system" is rigged against the "little guy."

"Junk" was intended to be Burbage's final show of their 2019-2020 season but was delayed due to COVID. After seeing this production, the wait was definitely worth it.

"Junk" runs through September 11. Burbage Theatre Company. 59 Blackstone Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. For tickets, visit www.burbagetheatre.org .