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Showing posts with label Scarcity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scarcity. Show all posts

Monday, September 12, 2016

REVIEW: Jeff Recommended Scarcity Disturbs and Delights at Redtwist Theatre

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:  
Scarcity 
by Lucy Thurber
A Chicago Premiere directed by Cody Estle
Sept 10 to Oct 9, 2016

If you're eager to see a happy comedy full of family values and fun times, this is not the play you're looking for. Scarcity is dark, edgy, and seeps under your skin. Its very title, Scarcity... scare city... scar city, speaks of poverty, want, shortage, and the fear that living in a constant state of economic deprivation leaves. This family is not getting out of this without deep and lasting scars. Sometimes when one has nothing, pride is all that's left worth fighting for, and losing that leaves a simmering, potentially explosive rage. 




Even the ending is a cliff hanger, lacking in closure and leaving the audience with a sense of foreboding and inevitable evils yet to come. If you're up for embracing the darker side of human dependents, dependence, and interdependence then we highly recommend Scarcity. The psychological and physical manipulation is palpable and despite just about all the characters insisting they've done nothing wrong (yet), suspicions, sexual tensions and innuendos abound.

We particularly liked the fantastic portrayal of the mother, Martha, by Jeff Award winning actress, Jacqueline Grandt. An Arlington Heights resident, Jacqueline Grandt is a 4-time Jeff nominee and won the Non-Equity Jeff Award for her role in Bug at Redtwist. 








Another standout is daughter, Rachel (Ada Grey), with beauty, brains, a preternatural talent for "seeing", and an obsession with reading tarot cards. She's a fascinating character who can glimpse some of the future, yet she's trapped in her own present and powerless to change much of it. 

Ada Grey has been reviewing plays and interviewing actors since she was 4-years old. She writes a blog called Ada Grey Reviews for You.



Ada Grey, Jacqueline Grandt, Mark Pracht

The son, Billy, brilliantly depicted by Brendan Meyer, is charming, smart, and gorgeous, with an irresistible grin, a predilection for drinking, and anger management issues, not unlike his father. He's already mastered the art of manipulation and domination in an unsettling way for a kid as young as 16.



Emily Tate, Brendan Meyer

There's a certain genius in these deeply flawed characters, portrayed so well. Scarcity embraces many disturbing, yet all too human themes, including hints of unfulfilled incestuous desires, a teacher's affair with an underage student, and the parents' tacit consent for their children to "do whatever you have to do" to survive and get out. 

There is passion and compassion still, amid the grinding poverty, hard work, and the struggle to stay afloat, but it comes at a steep cost. There's also still a spark of hope for the smart, beautiful children who are determined for something better. Yet there's a fatalism and a sense that these parents were once attractive, intelligent children too, before they were beaten down by life and succumbed to mind numbing alcoholism. 

Yet the show is not without it's humor. There were quite a few laugh out loud moments. And the rapport the family members had through the arguments, intensity and the tenderness came across in a genuinely moving way. 


Jacqueline Grandt, Ada Grey, Brendan Meyer

That said, there's a macabre train wreck of an aura surrounding this family. The audience can see the impending crash, but they're powerless to look away. We highly recommend this captivating drama.


Debra Rodkin, Mark Pracht, Jacqueline Grandt, Johnny Garcia




THE PLAY
A family stuck in the sticks and struggling to make ends meet has a chance to get their brilliant son into an advanced program when his obsessed math teacher becomes mesmerized by Billy's intellect and potential and offers to help with his college dreams. But what are her real intentions? And will the family grab this golden opportunity for a way out? 

Filled with dark humor and grittiness, Scarcity is an intense look at ambition and ambivalence within a family from the wrong side of the tracks.



Featuring Redtwist Company Member & Jeff Award-winner Jacqueline Grandt, along with fellow Redtwisters, Johnny Garcia and Debra Rodkin, as well as guest artists Ada Grey, Brendan Meyer, Mark Pracht, and Emily Tate


CAST (in alphabetical order)
Johnny Garcia (Louie), Jacqueline Grandt (Martha), Ada Grey (Rachel), Brendan Meyer (Billy), Mark Pracht (Herb), Debra Rodkin (Gloria), Emily Tate (Ellen)

Understudies
Sarah Liz Bell (Ellen), Nick Dorado (Herb), Judith Laughlin (Gloria), Michael Lomenick (Louie), Jeanne Scurek (Martha), Elodie Tougne (Rachel), Harrison Weger (Billy). Understudy performance on Tuesday, October 4, at 7:30pm

STAFF 
Cody Estle (Director), Max Colvill (Assistant Director), Mary Brennan (Stage Manager), Erica Bush (Assistant Stage Manager), Jeffrey D. Kmiec (Set Designer), Emma Deane (Lighting Designer), Jim Alrutz (Sound Designer), kClare McKellaston (Costume Designer), Laurel McKenzie (Prop Designer), Jan Ellen Graves (Graphic Designer), Josh Hurley (Tech Director), Elyse Balogh (Scenic Charge), Elise Kauzlaric (Dialect Coach), Sam Hubbard (Fight Choreography), Catherine Miller (Dramaturg & Casting Director), Malcolm Martinez (Box Office Manager), Charles Bonilla (Box Office Associate), Jan Ellen Graves, James Fleming, & Michael Colucci (Producers)



Mark Pracht, Jacqueline Grandt, Ada Grey, Brendan Meyer, Emily Tate
RESERVATIONS
Call: 773-728-7529
Website/Tickets: www.redtwist.org

Opens: Sat, Sep 10, 3pm (note: there is no evening performance on opening day)
Showtimes: Thu, Fri, Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 3pm
Understudy performance: Tue, Oct 4, at 7:30pm. $20 (seniors & students $5 off)
Closes: Sun, Oct 9
Running Time: Approximately 1:45, which includes one intermission

Tickets: Thursdays, $30; Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, $35 (seniors & students $5 off)


LOCATION/PARKING
Redtwist is located at 1044 W Bryn Mawr, 2 blks W of LSD, 2 blks E of the Red Line EL station.

Valet parking for Redtwist is available across the street in front of Francesca’s Bryn Mawr for most performances—hours vary. Dining is not required. 

Limited FREE street parking is available on side streets. There is metered street parking via ParkChicago.com app or 3-hour Paybox on Bryn Mawr Av and 2-hour Paybox on side streets. Free on Sundays, and after 10pm Mon thru Sat.


Want more?


13th Season Announced For Redtwist Theatre
Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

Here at ChiIL Live Shows, Redtwist has long been a favorite of ours on the blackbox storefront theatre scene. They're polished, professional productions and edgy late night choices keep Redtwist on our radar. Mark your calendars. Their lucky 13th season looks like a winner. Click here for our past coverage and full details on Redtwists' upcoming season.




"Home is where the HURT is" examines the fabric of 
family relationships. 

How do we live in the present when the future is looming? 
How far will we go to reach our potential and make our dreams a reality? 

And will that help or hurt the ones closest to us?

Saturday, August 20, 2016

13th Season Announced For Redtwist Theatre

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

Redtwist Theatre is pleased to announce its 13th Season!


Here at ChiIL Live Shows, Redtwist has long been a favorite of ours on the blackbox storefront theatre scene. They're polished, professional productions and edgy late night choices keep Redtwist on our radar. Mark your calendars. Their lucky 13th season looks like a winner.

"Home is where the HURT is" examines the fabric of family relationships. 
How do we live in the present when the future is looming? 
How far will we go to reach our potential and make our dreams a reality? 
And will that help or hurt the ones closest to us?



Scarcity by Lucy Thurber
A Chicago Premiere directed by Cody Estle
Sept 10 to Oct 9, 2016 (Previews Sept 7, 8, 9)
Press Opening - Saturday, September 10, 2016, 3pm
  
A family stuck in the sticks and struggling to make ends meet has a chance to get their brilliant son into an advanced program when his obsessed math teacher becomes mesmerized by Billy's intellect and potential and offers to help with his college dreams. But what are her real intentions? And will the family grab this golden opportunity for a way out? Featuring Jeff Award-winner, Jacqueline Grandt, and fellow Redtwist company members, Johnny Garcia and Debra Rodkin, along with guest artists, Mark Pracht, Brendan Meyer, and Ada Grey.

Turtle  by Jake Jeppson
A World Premiere directed by Damon Kiely
Nov 19 to Dec 30, 2016 (Previews Nov 16, 17, 18)
No performance Nov 24, Dec 24 or Dec 25
Press Opening - Saturday, November 19, 2016, 3pm

Molly has it all-a great suburban home, two cute kids, and a hard-working husband. According to what the politicians on her TV say, she is the model of the American dream. And yet, there's a sense of uneasiness in the air. When a sea turtle waddles its way into Molly's life, she and her family can't help but face the unspoken dread that has been lurking in the shadows. This charming and clever new play combines the distant echoes of timeless wisdom with an aggressively post-modern drama about our vexing present day fears.

Death of a Salesman  by Arthur Miller
Directed by Steve Scott
Feb 4 to Mar 5, 2017 (Previews Feb 1, 2, 3)
Press Opening - Saturday, February 4, 2017, 3pm

The great American drama about dashed hopes and delusional optimism, Miller's timeless themes play out in the fractured Loman household where Willy is the worn out king of his castle. He's also prince of the road as a fading traveling salesman, barely clinging to reality while searching in vain for the life of his dreams, yet failing to embrace the life that he lives. Featuring Jeff Award-winner, Brian Parry, with Redtwist company member Jan Ellen Graves, as Willy and Linda Loman.

Circle Mirror Transformation  by Annie Baker
Directed by Scott Weinstein
Apr 15 thru May 14, 2017 (Previews Apr 12, 13, 14)
Press Opening - Saturday, April 15, 2017, 3pm

When four lost New Englanders enroll in Marty's six-week community center drama class, they begin to experiment with seemingly harmless theatre games, but hearts are quietly torn apart, and tiny wars of epic proportions are waged. In her savvy storytelling, this Pulitzer-winning playwright takes you into the underbelly of the craft of acting and reveals the creative process that allows the actor to access the range of emotions that seem so intensely real on stage.

Going to a Place Where You Already Are by Bekah Brunstetter 
A Chicago Premiere directed by Matt Hawkins
Jun 24 thru Jul 23, 2017 (Previews June 21, 22, 23) 
Press Opening - Saturday, June 24, 2017, 3pm
A fun-loving couple, Roberta and Joe, are avowed atheists in their golden years, moving along nicely until Roberta undergoes a serious medical diagnosis. Funny and poignant, this is an insightfully compassionate play about a senior couple navigating the land mines of their advancing years in a delightfully carefree manner, until life catches up and demands some big time decisions about faith. Featuring Kathleen Ruhl in the role of Roberta.


PERFORMANCE DETAILS 
Showtimes:
Thu, Fri, Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 3pm (Openings are on Saturdays at 3pm) 
Tickets: Thursdays, $30; Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, $35 (seniors & students $5 off)

RESERVATIONS  
Call: 773-728-7529 Website/Tickets: www.redtwist.org

LOCATION
Redtwist is located at 1044 W Bryn Mawr, 2 blks W of LSD, 2 blks E of the Red Line El station.

PARKING
Valet parking for Redtwist is available across the street in front of Francesca's Bryn Mawr for most performances (but not for Sunday matinees). Dining is not required. 

Allow ample time for parking. FREE street parking is available on side streets. You don't need a permit to park on Winthrop and Kenmore but availability is limited.


Limited FREE street parking is available on side streets. Metered street parking is 3-hour Paybox on Bryn Mawr Av and 2-hour Paybox on side streets. Free on Sundays, and after 10pm Mon thru Sat. You can mange the meter with your smart phone by registering at parkchicago.com which will save you an extra trip to your car during intermissions.

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