Review - Speech & Debate - 10/7/07

Speech & Debate

Black Box Theatre

10/7/07 – 2:30 pm

Speech & Debate was the introductory show for the new “Roundabout Underground” initiative. The goal is to “cultivate new works by emerging playwrights by giving them the opportunity to debut their plays as full scale productions the nurturing environment…”, as per the program. I didn’t know anything about the show, but was looking for something to do while waiting to see RENT in the evening.

You enter the theater via elevator and walk into a funky trendy lobby area. It has a small snack stand, a few couches, and tables. The theater itself is just a simple room. There are about 65 office type chairs assembled in rows and an aisle down the middle. There is no stage and the set is just a few feet away from you. Definitely an adjustment from seeing shows in large broadway houses. It was a simple classroom setting. It is a 4 person cast, and all scene changes are used with the same props, similar to how the tables in RENT are used for various scenes.

Essentially, the show is about a few different themes such as sexual abuse, personal acceptance, and social acceptance. It is the typical teen angst type show. There are three main students and an adult who serves as the teacher and reporter. The show starts showing a mock AIM conversation between the teenager on stage (later learned to be Howie played by Gideon Glick of Spring Awakening fame) and an obviously older man, trying to solicit a get together. Soloman is an uptight wannabe journalist. He starts out by vehemently trying to convince the student advisor to let him write on controversial issues such as abortion, and the recent scandal of the mayor propositioning young boys. He is turned down and seeks other avenues. Diwata is a teenage thespian who has a pod cast for her drunken gripes. Sarah Steele is definitely an up and comer after seeing this performance.

All three characters are strangers and have their own personal problem/agendas, but come together with the common goal of getting out the story of their predator drama teacher. While each is using it as personal gain, they end up caring for each others plights. They definitely tackle some common but still taboo topics, which is brave.

The show itself was very good for being a first production. It runs about two hours with no intermission. My body was achy and I want to stand by the middle, so an intermission is needed, but I can’t picture where they can safely stop the show for it, without taking you too far out of the story. But other than the achy feelings, I didn’t realize I was sitting there for two hours. It kept my attention. I can see some areas definitely needing work, but like I said, for a first time production it was very good. I hope it continues to be developed and moves ahead, along with the cast who were superb. I also look forward to seeing other initiatives from the Roundabout Underground program.