PicksInSix Review: TWILIGHT BOWL

INGENIOUS ARC KEEPS ‘TWILIGHT BOWL’ ROLLING!

Ever wondered how things you did in your childhood impacted the friends and family who were around you at the time? If someone asked them years later to say something nice about you, could they, or would the conversation shift to one of those high-risk activities that surely play out much better in life’s rearview mirror? Who remembers all those stupid mistakes we made growing up that were so embarrassing you could never tell your mother?

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The absorbing backstories of the young women in “Twilight Bowl,” the world premiere of Rebecca Gilman’s delectable slice-of-rural-life directed by Erica Weiss that opened Tuesday at Goodman Theatre, flicker intensely in the neon glow of a Wisconsin bowling alley as Jaycee (Heather Chrisler), her best friend Clarice (Hayley Burgess), cousin Sam (Becca Savoy) and faith-based pal Sharlene (Anne E. Thompson) huddle around a table in the bar. Jaycee’s colorful past is sometimes shocking and there is cake, but we soon discover that she has made some bad choices recently and will be going away for a while. For the group’s members, who have spent their youth together and worked and grew up in and around the bowling alley, this is bittersweet farewell.

Sam represents the success story, a competitor who earned a bowling scholarship to Ohio State. Clarice will stay in town. Sharlene is deeply tied to the church and wants to continue to be a source of strength for Jaycee and everyone else. So, despite some harsh words about how things worked out, they all commit to their friendship going forward, or so it seems.

Several months later, during Thanksgiving break, Sam returns from college with her new-found friend Maddy (Angela Morris). The bartender Brielle (Mary Taylor), who is taking time away from her education, learns why Maddy is there, instead of with her family back in Winnetka on the North Shore. And after losing a friendly bowling wager to boost Sam’s spirits, Maddy wears out her welcome with one of the women. The ingenious arc of the 90-minute story exposes a range of youthful emotions, from regret and jealously to reconciliation, in the splendidly paced character study.

Gilman, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, Goodman Artistic Associate and Northwestern professor, created “Twilight Bowl” with a commission from the Big Ten Theatre Consortium, which is committed to improving gender equity in the theater. She developed the work in association with Goodman’s 2017 New Stages Festival. The Goodman premiere features the original New Stages cast and is unique for its all-female creative and production team, including Weiss, a Chicago-based director, filmmaker and television writer who is also co-creator and executive producer of the new CBS series “The Red Line”; Regina Garcia’s set design; costumes and lighting by Izumi Inaba and Cat Wilson; and original music and sound design by Victoria Deiorio.

This is a poignant coming-of-age story, a fascinating exploration of emerging personalities that are the sum of their individual and collective life experiences. As the women of “Twilight Bowl” confront challenging personal situations, and struggle to cope with the anxiety their decisions cause, they run headlong into the small-town nature of things—rural values that can be overwhelming for anyone not accustomed to the unique pace and rhythm. Or perhaps more to the point, in the rush to escape where we have been, let’s not forget that the sense of security of our youth, and those erstwhile relationships, will always be part of who we are and how we would like to be remembered.      

PHOTOS|Brett Beiner

GOODMAN THEATRE
Presents
TWILIGHT BOWL
through March 10th
170 N Dearborn Street
(312) 443-3800

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PICKSINSIX Review: CAROLINE, OR CHANGE

“CAROLINE” – A STUNNING WORK OF ART! 

Fearless, central performance… Change for Caroline Thibodeaux isn’t easy, but change is coming. The wage she earns for the long hours doing laundry barely allows her to put food on the table for her three kids at home. She spends her days working underground between the washer, the dryer and the radio, and her nights in the shadow of the moon, dreaming of a better place. A fearless, central performance by Rashada Dawan makes Firebrand Theatre’s pulsating new production of the Tony Kushner/Jeanine Tesori musical “Caroline, or Change” a stunning work of art!

Exciting new partnership… Kushner’s semi-biographical masterpiece, staged in association with TimeLine Theatre Company, is directed by Lili-Anne Brown with music direction by Andra Velis Simon. Emerging through a multitude of intricate rhythms and diverse musical styles, it is the story of two divergent families – one African-American, one Jewish – in the midst of the early ‘60s civil rights movement. Laying bare the raw and oppressive attitudes of the day, “Caroline, or Change” is an exquisite accomplishment for the exciting new partnership between Firebrand and TimeLine.

Family friction… In 1963 Lake Charles, Louisiana, Noah (Alejandro Medina) is coping with the recent passing of his mother. Noah’s father, Stuart Gellman (Jonathan Schwart) has married Rose (Blair Robertson), his mom’s best friend, who is now trying to forge a bond with Noah. Noah despises his stepmother and turns to Caroline, who has been his anchor through the long illness. Caroline understands the friction Rose’s presence has brought to the family and resists efforts to partner in the boy’s discipline, particularly when it comes to Rose’s insistence that he be held accountable for his carelessness with money. Noah adores Caroline and imagines her as the perfect mother, citizen, even President.

Breakout role… Dawan’s Caroline soars as she struggles mightily to cope with the mounting pressure of her relationship with Rose, a smart turn for Robertson, and her blistering confrontation with Noah. Caroline’s rebellious daughter Emmie, a breakout role for Bre Jacobs, adds to the mounting drama while her friend, Dotty, the perfect Nicole Michelle Haskins, tries to keep moving forward. Medina’s Noah is simply terrific as are the touching performances of Princess Isis Z. Lang (Jackie) and Lyric K. Sims (Joe), the younger Thibodeaux daughters. The fantasy elements of the sung-through piece showcase the strong vocals of Tyler Symone (Moon/Washer), Roberta Burke(Radio 3), De’Jah Jerval (Radio 1) and Emma Sipora Tyler (Radio 2) and Michael Lovette (Bus/Dryer).

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Brilliant chamber orchestra… Over twenty performers and dozens of creative/administrative professionals contribute to this impressive production. The brilliant chamber orchestra is conducted by Andra Velis Simon. Lauren Nichols contrasting set of rooms above the basement works well with audience on two sides in the Den Theater’s Heath Stage. Lighting by Cat Wilson dramatically highlights the dazzling Kotryna Hilko costumes.

Immerse yourself… Allow a bit of extra time before the show and at intermission to immerse yourself in the dramaturgy exhibit on display. TimeLine has also created an excellent app to examine the events and background that helps to enhancing overall impact and educational value.

PHOTOS|Marisa MK

NOTE: Our engaging August 2018 CONVERSATION
with Lili-Anne Brown - BIG CONCEPTS. NEW PARTNERSHIPS
is available on Apple Podcasts, Libsyn and Stitcher.

FIREBRAND THEATRE
with TIMELINE THEATRE
Presents
CAROLINE, OR CHANGE
through October 28, 2018
The Den Theatre
1331 N Milwaukee
773-697-3830

FIREBRAND WEBSITE

TIMELINE WEBSITE - APP

CONVERSATIONS PODCAST with LILI-ANNE BROWN

For more reviews, visit: Theatre In Chicago

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