play review: Four Chords and a Gun

Written by: John Ross Bowie
Directed by: Richard Ouzounian


ChinoKino score: B+

Review by Allan Tong

Let me be upfront: I'm a Ramones fan, which is why ChinoKino is making an exception and reviewing this play. And yes, it's a play, not a musical. Four Chords and a Gun examines the fateful collaboration between punk rock pioneers, The Ramones, and legendary, but batshit-crazy record producer Phil Spector. In 1979, Spector produced the Ramones' fourth album, End of the Century. They came together because, frankly, both were desperate for a hit.

If you know the Ramones, then you know the dynamics at work here. Sensitive, nice-guy singer Joey Ramone clashes with mean, tyrannical leader Johnny Ramone, culminating in Johnny stealing Joey's girlfriend, Linda. This betrayal forever breaks Joey's heart. Bassist Dee Dee is a junkie. And drummer Marky is an alcoholic, but is also grounded enough to act as the play's narrator. All characters supply comic relief. The focus, however, lies on the Joey-Linda-Johnny triangle, overlaid by Spector who acts as a catalyst for change in the recording studio and without.

Legend tells us that the lunatic Spector ordered the Ramones to record in the studio at gunpoint, which is the centerpiece of this play. The Ramones were rock 'n' roll purists, churning out primal two-minute, four-on-four rock tunes while Spector was renown for his multilayered production techniques dubbed the Wall of Sound that demanded hundreds of takes. Hard-nosed Johnny confronted Spector the most, and those two butted heads over and over.

The play does a decent job of dramatizing the gun legend (though Marky has denied it ever happened). Spector drove Johnny nuts with endless takes and by adding strings to Ramones songs. The play also does a fine job of painting the triangle. Cyrus Lane pulls no punches portraying hard-nosed Johnny, and Ron Pederson rescues Spector from being a cartoon, while Paolo Santalucia paints some nuances to Dee Dee, a secondary character. Vanessa Smythe truly shines as Linda, both as caregiver and confidante to both Joey and Johnny, but strong enough to stand up to Johnny when his ego gets the best of him (and it often does).

However, Joey's heartbreak is slightly underplayed, and the play's ending is a little flat after a long build-up. Overall, Ramones' fans will be pleased with this production, as will fans of rock and pop culture.

Now, if you're expecting a musical, you won't find it here. This is a straight drama punctuating about five dysfunctional, creative souls. However, a tribute band (above) plays a blistering 20-minute set immediately after the 90-minute play, so definitely stay for them.

Four Chords and a Gun plays at the Fleck Dance Theatre - Harbourfront Centre, 207 Queens Quay West until April 28.