By John Berger
jberger@staradvertiser.com

Theater lovers have a final opportunity this weekend to catch one of the best offerings from the 2009-2010 theater season, as The Actors Group presents playwright Suzan-Lori Parks’ “Topdog/Underdog,” directed by Harry Wong III.

Moses Goods III and the actor currently known as Q — two of the top talents currently performing on the local stage — are perfectly matched in this gripping Pulitzer Prize-winning tale of two highly competitive brothers trying to work their way out of poverty and street crime. One is trying to go straight; the other wants his brother to help him hone his criminal skills.

Nothing drags. Nothing happens that seems inconsistent with what we know of the characters. Nothing artificial or illogical is thrust into the story to end our interest in what will happen next.

Expletives fly in realistic inner-city style. The humor is rough — sometimes bawdy, sometimes poignant. It’s one great one-line quip or put-down after another.

For anyone who can handle the language this is “don’t miss” theater.

» Where: The Actors Group Theatre, 1116 Smith St.
» When: 7:30 p.m. June 25 and June 26; also 2 p.m. June 27
» Cost: $20 general admission, $15 for seniors and $12 for students, military and groups of 10 or more
» Info: 722-6941 or www.taghawaii.net