THE MEMO Offers a Cautionary Message

The Organic Theater Company’s presentation of “The Memo” is an absurdist black comedy that might be described as Monty Python meets “Office Space” in the “Twilight Zone.” The show runs through June 16, 2019, at the Greenhouse Theater Center on Lincoln Avenue in Chicago.

“The Memo” is an interesting if not important play written in 1965 by Vaclav Havel a reformer who went on to become the last President of Czechoslovakia during the waning days of the Communist era, then subsequently becoming the first President of the post-Soviet Czech Republic.

Humorously addressing overblown bureaucracy, denial of facts, mistrust, self-serving interests and a general disregard of humanity, its intention was to shine a light on the dystopian dysfunction of Soviet-style Communism, the reality is that it sadly still resonates within the current political climate in America and throughout the world today.

Absurdist theater may not be to everyone’s taste but you might enjoy this as an historical experience or a cautionary tale.