REVIEW: Stage Troupe's 'The Nerd' embraces eccentricity, reignites an old classic

A man enters your house, joins your dinner party and tells you and your guests to take off their shoes and socks and put paper bags on their heads. Would you let him stay?

If you're Willum Cubbert, then the answer is yes.

This strange quarrel is central to "The Nerd," a play performed by Boston University's Stage Troupe at the Student Theater at Agganis Arena from March 26 to 28.

Written by Larry Shue, "The Nerd" takes place in 1979 and follows Willum Cubbert, an architect who is suddenly forced to take in Rick Steadman, the man who saved his life in the Vietnam War. Rick's presence complicates Willum's personal and professional life, forcing Willum to choose between himself and the man to whom he owes his life.

Despite the play's comedic premise, the story of "The Nerd" can't help but be bogged down by the nearly 50-year gap between when it's set and the present day, largely due to the narrative itself.

A few pivotal plot points hinge on the use of an answering machine -- a device college-aged audiences aren't too familiar with -- and some of the jokes felt more than a little dated.

Instead, what kept the production engaging and enjoyable was the brilliant seven-person cast, with each member bringing enthusiasm and humor to their respective roles.

Sophomore Willem Schiener played Willum Cubbert, a young architect from Indiana and the story's central figure. Schiener effortlessly captured Willum's nervous energy and people-pleasing tendencies, without sacrificing any of the humor that comes with the absurdity of his situation.

I was surprised at the ease with which Schiener transitioned from the softer emotional moments to the ridiculous scenes composing the majority of the play. These transitions helped make the stakes feel real, and I was quickly drawn into the heart of Willum's story, beyond the humor.

In playing Rick Steadman, sophomore Gavin McCrevan's willingness to commit to the bit was equal parts impressive and disgusting: Whether it meant talking with the most perfectly grating accent, sniffing other characters' shoes or eating spaghetti off the floor, there was not an ounce of insincerity in his performance.

He struck a perfect balance between irritating and amusing, and I found myself laughing at him as much as I was rooting for his departure.

The standout, to my surprise, was junior Eric Rogers, who played one of Willum's close friends and sarcastic wisecrack, Axel.

All it takes is one snarky comment too many for these witty best friend characters to turn annoying, but Rogers did an incredible job delivering jokes with a sincerity that added depth to Axel's character and bolstered the show's energy when the liveliness dipped.

Senior Justina So brought heart and sincerity in the form of Tansy, Willum's friend and love interest, grounding the production's more emotional moments. While it was difficult for her to stand out among such an eccentric cast of characters, I could still see So's commitment to her role in her deeply genuine performance.

Rounding out the cast was senior Simon Goldort alongside sophomores Julia Leslie and Patrick Hayes, who comprised the Waldgrave family. Even though they weren't main characters, they each delivered impressively funny performances, smashing plates and letting out ear-splitting screams all the while.

Ultimately, what made this production so captivating was the cast's willingness to embrace the absurd, committing to their characters and taking every joke to its acme.

Just like Willum needed a touch of Rick's absurdity to shake up his life for the better, Stage Troupe's "The Nerd" reminds its audience that it's always best to lean into the quirks of life -- you never know how it might change you.