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Regional Reviews: St. Louis Am I Dangerous? Also see Richard's review of Red Jasper
Allison Sexton is very fine as Philoten, a young woman on the run who claims to have killed her mother (hence the play's title). And she flees to "the sacred temple of the sky," where three priestesses try to figure out what really happened. The priestesses also play dual roles, reenacting the events leading up to the murder: the outstanding Rachel Bailey provides most of the comedy as a nursemaid; equally great Zahria Moore plays Philoten's tempestuous mother; and Jade Cash is excellent as Philoten's fiery adopted sister. In her flashback scenes, Ms. Cash (as Philoten's sister Marina) proves the modern adage that "teenaged girls are the new teenaged boys." And Ms. Moore (as Dionyza) and Ms. Bailey (as Lychorida) own the stage with remarkable power, giving the play its scope and spectacle. Two thousand years of classical performance seems to follow them around, but doesn't weigh them down in my estimation. These are the sorts of performances I always wished I could give, myself: where comedy flows in and out of timelessness. Ms. Sexton is innocent and idealistic, and Ms. Cash is rebellious and free-spirited–though she shows a powerful sense of clarity in her own final moments on stage. The fine set is by Erik Kuhn, with evocative lighting by Theresa Comstock. Her light and shadow gives us a hypnotically beautiful little bathing scene behind a scrim. Also unexpectedly interesting are two or three scenes where Ms. Bailey navigates a blend of science and magic with naturalism. But even her Lychorida is overwhelmed as they face a curse re-emerging from our own vanished civilization, ages later. Ms. Sexton's monologs describing epic scenery fill the stage with ease, and e.k. doolin's script stands tall in elegance and insight. Moore and Bailey's scenes together are right on the edge of Broadway quality in their levels of exposed psychological detail and a nearly invisible stagecraft. Who knew Zahria Moore had so many layers? Or that Rachel Bailey was a mystic at heart? It's been a while since we've had depths like these to ponder. Am I Dangerous?, a Contraband Theatre production, runs through October 26, 2024, at The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Drive, St. Louis MO. For tickets and information, please visit www.contrabandtheatre.org, Cast (alphabetically): Production Staff: |
