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Mathile Theatre

‘Jailbait’ Review – Playground Theatre – Dangerous Game

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Every day is Saturday. This no holds barred philosophy seems to suit 15-year-old sophomores Emmy and Claire, a naive duo on the prowl for unassuming older men in Deirdre O’Connor’s riveting contemporary dramedy “Jailbait,” which receives an outstanding local premiere in the Mathile Theatre of the Schuster Center courtesy of millennial-centric Playground Theatre.

jailbait

(left to right) Christopher Hahn (Mark), Lisa Glover (Emmy), Mike Beerbower (Robert), and Jenna Gomes (Claire) star in Playground Theatre’s local premiere of Deirdre O’Connor’s contemporary dramedy”Jailbait” (Contributed photo)

Instead of clinging to the innocence of youth, the reticent Claire (an expertly cautious and emotionally wounded Jenna Gomes) and confidently sly Emmy (magnetically effervescent Lisa Glover) dress up in their sexiest attire (the beginning of Claire’s transformation greatly impacts the dynamics of the opening scene) to meet thirtysomething friends Mark (Playground co-founder Christopher Hahn in skillful attack mode) and Robert (an endearingly square Mike Beerbower) at a club. Arrogantly brutish Mark, the epitome of a player, and sensitive Robert, still reeling from a bad breakup and particularly suffering from commitment issues, have no idea they’re stepping into dangerous territory, fueling the action and its momentum to the hilt.

 
When situations go too far, everything crashes in a heartrendingly predictable sea of anger, guilt, shame, and tears. How could it not? Even so, O’Connor daringly and vividly weaves themes of intimacy, connection and the complexities of adulthood into a frankly conversational, real-time framework. Desperation, enticement and sexual politics play out with snappy language that shocks and titillates often in the same breath. The game being played only transpires in one night but is potent enough to leave you questioning the depths some are willing to take to simply hit it off with a stranger. As Mark warns Robert in a moment of indecision, “Don’t think of it as lying. Think of it as improv in a bar.”

 
Staged with superbly character-conscious, slice of life realism by Playground co-founder Jenna Valyn, “Jailbait” soars as the radiant cast sharply uncovers varying degrees of deception and desire. Hahn, savvy enough to display Mark’s vulnerabilities, has a fun, brotherly rapport with Beerbower and smoothly engages with the fabulously flirtatious Glover. Having memorably appeared in two Dare to Defy Productions this season, Glover is a knockout once more navigating Emmy’s arc ranging from drunken daze to tempting tease to regretful confidant. Gomes and Beerbower’s charming awkwardness in their first meeting appealingly lays the groundwork for a pivotal, confrontational exchange, grippingly performed by the duo, which brings the hard truth to the surface. Additionally, the excellent sound design, specifically in the club scenes, complements the cast without overpowering them. R&B beats pulsate underneath the dialogue, but every word can be heard, which is an impressive feat.

 
Accented with “Alice in Wonderland” subtleties and a cool Spotify playlist, this terrific experience is one of the finest of the fall. Don’t miss it.

 

“Jailbait” continues through Dec. 4 at in the Mathile Theatre of the Schuster Center, Second and Main Streets, Dayton. Performances are Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. The play is performed in 90 minutes without intermission. Tickets are $20. For tickets, call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com. For additional information, visit theplaygroundtheatre.org. Patrons are advised the play contains adult language and situations.

 

’35MM’ Review – Dare to Defy Productions – The Story Within

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Composer Ryan Scott Oliver’s 2012 multimedia song cycle “35MM: A Musical Exhibition” receives an admirable treatment from Dare to Defy Productions through Oct. 8 in the Mathile Theatre of the Schuster Center.

(left to right) Zach King, Natalie Sanders, Alan Ruddy, Danielle Kubasky, and Skyler McNeely rehearse Dare to Defy Productions’ presentation of “35MM: A Musical Exhibition,” a song cycle bridging the worlds of music and photography.

Unique in concept but lacking cohesive depth, “35MM” uses a series of eclectic photographs by Matthew Murphy to tell intriguing, hilarious and occasionally confusing tales of romance, connection, disillusionment, and hope. Overall, this vignette-driven showcase is at its best when love dominates the conversation. For instance, a song centered on a photo of a couple at odds on a playground swing set is certainly more enticing than a song built on the oddities of a kooky doll. Perhaps if Oliver would have created his song cycle based solely on the ups and downs of relationships, the results would have been more distinctive and relatable. Some of the songs are not perfectly matched to the photos as well which halts momentum. Nevertheless, his ambitious work beckons the audience to examine the trials and tribulations of life through focus, perspective and the sheer passage of time.

Director AJ Breslin helms Oliver and Murphy’s world with very little interference. Due to the Mathile’s intimacy, this breezy production instantly conjures a cozy, coffee shop vibe which suits the show’s introspective nature and important attention to projections. Breslin’s minimalist, straightforward approach clearly allows each song to speak for itself, but at the same rate it’s difficult to hear some of the more frenzied lyrics. Still, his committed, energetic and passionate five-member cast, taking on the vocal challenges of the harmonically intricate score with vim and verve under the music direction of David McKibben, joins forces with ample opportunities to entertain. Natalie Sanders and Zach King, a volatile Queenie and Burrs last season in Dare to Defy’s “The Wild Party,” winningly reunite for the spirited “Make Me Happy.” Sanders, looking as statuesque as ever in basic black, wonderfully opens the show with “Stop Time” and notably drives the dark high school drama of “The Ballad of Sara Berry” with gusto. It’s also great to see Alan Ruddy and Danielle Kubasky reuniting for the first time since appearing as and Princeton and Kate Monster in Beavercreek Community Theatre’s 2015 production of “Avenue Q,” Ruddy, effectively balancing comedy and poignancy throughout, strongly renders “The Seraph” while Kubasky shines in “Twisted Teeth.” Skyler McNeely, who appeared with Sanders in Sinclair Community College’s 2015 production of “Songs for a New World,” teams with Kubasky for a terrifically emotive rendition of the heartbreaking “Hemming & Hawing” chronicling the twisted complications and imperfections of love. Keyboardist Nick Garvin leads a fine five-piece band.

The contemporary pop/rock/punk essence of “35MM” may not appeal to musical theater fans more inclined to embrace Rodgers and Hammerstein, but it’s a prime example of Dare to Defy’s eagerness to look outside the box.

 

“35MM: A Musical Exhibition” continues Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 8 at 2 and 8 p.m. inside the Mathile Theatre of the Schuster Center, Second and Main Streets, Dayton. The production is performed in 80 minutes without intermission. Tickets are $19.50-$24.50. For tickets or more information, call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit ticketcenterstage.com. Patrons are reminded the show contains adult language.