>> MORE: The Playground: Theatre for millennials (and everyone else)
Here are six reasons why you should see this provocative work produced by one of the most adventurous, risk-taking theater companies in the Miami Valley.
Meet Claire:
ASPECTS OF ADULTHOOD IN QUESTION
Fifteen-year-old high school sophomores Claire and Emmy enjoy posing as college students in order to attract older guys, but situations take a turn when they meet thirtysomething pals Mark and Robert at a club. Along the way, a tricky game of emotion, desire and soul-searching occurs.
Emmy is particularly caught in brash bachelor Mark’s sexual expectations, while Claire finds herself drawn to the heartbroken Robert, who's coping with a breakup. Ultimately, both girls must face the stark reality of how far they’re willing to go while playing at adulthood.
Under the direction of Playground co-founder Jenna Valyn, the cast consists of Jenna Gomes as Claire, Lisa Glover as Emmy, Mike Beerbower as Robert, and Playground co-founder Christopher Hahn as Mark.
“Technically, all of the characters in the show could be considered millennials, but just at opposite ends of the spectrum,” Gomes noted. “One character wrestles with his life after a breakup, another with her life after a death in the family. It's really interesting to see these similarities in the way these characters navigate life despite their age difference, possibly because of the pressures society puts on them for being part of the millennial generation.”
Meet Robert:
THE THREE R’S: RAW, REAL AND RIVETING
Playground Theatre specializes in storytelling over spectacle with an emphasis on raw, real and riveting plays. Since debuting in 2014 with “The Breakfast Club,” Playground has challenged audiences with shows addressing collegiate sexual scandal (“Really Really”), relationships disintegrating over body image (“Reasons To Be Pretty”), and the folly of wayward privilege and materialism (“This Is Our Youth”). By all means, “Jailbait” is poised to join this illustrious group of plays in a powerful way.
“The characters are complicated and compelling,” Beerbower said. “You empathize with them even when you might not want to.”
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CHARACTERS WITH RELATABLE STING
“Playground is very actor-driven, people being as real as possible and not hiding behind caricatures,” said Valyn, who starred opposite Hahn last season in Playground’s outstanding, off-Broadway caliber production of “Reasons To Be Pretty.” “We want characters to live in the moment. Of all the plays we’ve produced, I feel ‘Jailbait’ has the most relatable and likable characters. I feel like it’s easy to root for these characters.”
“It’s easy to play certain characters one-dimensional, but there’s so much going on in this script,” Hahn added. “There are so many different conflicting things that could be going on in someone’s head. The challenge is realistically portraying these contradictions without losing focus.”
FEMALES IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Valyn enthusiastically states “Jailbait” is her favorite script among the plays the company has produced. She’s also pleased to helm the troupe’s first script written by a female playwright.
“Being able to tell a story through a female voice has been wonderful for me to connect to on a different level,” she said. “I really connect to these characters. I feel closer to them in a different way as if I’m trying to take care or nurture them. This is a beautifully written script.”
AN ALICE IN WONDERLAND SUBTEXT
As Valyn began to shape her artistic vision, she realized the play bears semblance to “Alice in Wonderland” in many ways. In fact, in keeping with Playground’s tradition of reconfiguring the intimate Mathile space to suit the storytelling of each play, audiences will view the action as if peering into a journey.
“Conceptually, I’ve taken this idea of a modern ‘Alice in Wonderland’ story particularly in the costume and sound design,” she said. “The stage will be set up like an alley so the audience will see the action go from place to place from the girls’ bedroom to the nightclub to one of the male character’s apartment. The ‘Alice in Wonderland’ idea stems from my perspective that the characters are trying to escape from life and they’re rediscovering themselves by stepping outside of their comfort zone. It’s the idea that you have to get lost in order to get found.”
SOUNDTRACKS ADD ANOTHER DIMENSION
Music remains a key factor in the Playground universe in order to bring greater attention not only to the company, but each production. Valyn says her love of Cameron Crowe films, which took on a life of their own thanks to his incredible soundtracks, propelled her reasoning to bring the same artistic and promotional mentality to the forefront.
Using Spotify, Valyn’s “Jailbait” playlist currently includes Elle King’s “Ex’s and Oh’s,” the Black Keys’ “Fever,” Melanie Martinez’s “Mad Hatter,” Franz Ferdinand’s “Take Me Out,” and Sia’s “Cheap Thrills,” among others.
“Music has become a big part of our storytelling,” she said. “Our soundtracks really help set a particular mood and tell each individual story in a unique way. Music, like all art, has the power to evoke emotion and it can help moments make even more of an impact. I always attempt to create a perfect balance between the world of the play and the music surrounding it.”
Want to go?
WHAT: "Jailbait"
WHERE: Mathile Theatre in the Schuster Center, Second and Main Streets, Dayton
WHEN: Dec. 1-4: 7 p.m. Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday
COST: $20
TICKETS: Call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com
INFO: Visit theplaygroundtheatre.org
FYI: Patrons are advised the play contains adult language and situations. There will also be a preview performance at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30. A $10 donation is suggested. A talkback with the cast immediately follows the performance.
Contact this contributing writer at rflorence2@gmail.com.
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