A Modern Paradise Lost in ‘Darkfall’

In David Davalos’ “Darkfall,” at the Sacred Fools Theater, a wealthy man’s imminent death on the eve of the new millennium (Dec. 31, 2000) brings his two heirs to the hospital--his sinister protege, Luke (Seth Kanor), and his schoolteacher son, Josh (David Holcomb).

Luke is a loud, brash businessman in a dark gray suit, greeted with disgust by the old man’s attendants (Piper Henry, John Prince and Tabatha Hall), who, at times, act as a Greek chorus. While Luke betrayed his mentor’s trust, Josh left his father’s business, preferring a simple life. Kanor’s Luke doesn’t ooze the seductive charms of a wheeler-dealer, which would counter the calm, comfortable nature of Holcomb’s Josh.

Although it’s not mentioned in the program, Davalos had John Milton’s “Paradise Lost” in mind. After the fall from grace, would Satan’s troops rise again? Skipping over the flood, Davalos imagines Jesus allowing Satan in the form of an avaricious CEO to take control of the world.

Some passages come close to normal speech; others are verse. The transitions can be jarring, and they’re not helped by the abrupt shifts in Bryan Schulte’s lighting. Davalos’ argument of the essential evil of corporate structure and its growing global monopolization isn’t convincing. While Milton’s masterpiece brought accusations of blasphemy, this won’t raise an eyebrow.

Director Tenny Priebe uses a large clock-face image as if to emphasize the urgency of time and revive some Y2K fears. But she doesn’t capture the mystical qualities of Davalos’ script. Her Greek chorus is puny, and Josh and Luke’s soliloquies lack power.

The production becomes a wordy, overly intellectual exercise. It lacks sympathetic, layered portrayals in key roles, as well as precision in its Greek chorus segments.

* “Darkfall,” Sacred Fools Theater, 660 N. Heliotrope Drive, Los Angeles. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Ends Dec. 22. $12. (310) 281-8337. Running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes.