|
||
|
Disclaimer:
The reviewers' opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of TheatreLouisville.org. |
Peer Reviews My So-Called So-Called Life Written by David Largman Murray
My So-Called Life was a scripted drama on television in 1994 that was cancelled after 19 episodes for having an audience size that most broadcast networks today would count as a good number. It was beloved by critics but didn't secure its place in popular culture until MTV picked up the rights to rebroadcast the episodes and it developed a cult following among that network's young viewership. Only then did the show and its heroine, Angela Chase, come to be so influential on female American youth. In this new play, being given its world premiere by Walden Theatre, a teenage girl named Angela is so obsessed with her fictional namesake that she models her appearance after her and imagines her life following the plotlines of the series to an unhealthy degree. The lines between fantasy and reality blur until they are almost indistinct as real people in her life become embroiled in her delusions. The material is a natural fit for a company of teenage actors, and the premise is a fascinating opportunity to examine the uncertainty and insecurity of adolescent identity. Yet, even though the ideas the playwright introduces are certainly provocative, the script, despite a relatively brief running time, at times begged to be given more shape and drive. A little sluggishness in the pacing exacerbated the problem, but eventually things come into better focus, and by the end the production had fully connected to the audience. The cast, which included Eliot Zellers, Meghan McCabe, Jordan Brown, Jenny Richardson, Callie Trawick and Britt Mahan, acquit themselves admirably, but it is in the two central roles that the production manages to have its strongest impact. Madeline Marchal held the center as the slightly disturbed Angela, confidently playing the unsettling qualities of the character without sacrificing the audience's sympathy. As Pearl, Angela's friend who willingly involves herself in the fantasy in order to bring the two closer together, Sami Siegwald was a fascinating and mercurial figure. Although the other actors all had good, funny moments, the heart of the play lies in the implications of the changing relationship between these two girls, and the young actresses worked well together, illustrating both the commonality and the sharp differences that defined their feelings towards one another. Whatever the shortcomings of the text, Walden Theatre once again provides an opportunity to witness fresh young actors exploring the possibilities of their talent. The spark in Ms. Marchal's eyes throughout the evening is evidence enough of the potency of this company's efforts. Her work here was as strong as in any other local production you are likely to witness this season.
My So-Called So-Called Life 502-584-7777 for tickets Posted Jan. 17, 2009
|
|