OdysseyStage 10✖10: Homegrown Talent Knocked My Socks Off
This article was originally published in Triangle Review on 24 September 2022.
TONIGHT is the last show of 2022 OdysseyStage 10✖10: Homegrown Talent, presented by OdysseyStage Theatre at the Seymour Center, 2551 Homestead Rd., in Chapel Hill, NC. I suggest you register for your FREE tickets right now and leave the $20 suggested donation at the door, because last night kinda knocked my socks off.
The first in this series of 10-minute plays -- all of which were written, directed, and performed by locals -- is Brian Davis' Space Invaders, directed by Maria Piskor, in which Chase Condrone is convincing as a cell-phone-preoccupied physician, and Drew Gulino's portrayal of psychologically disturbed patient Bob reminded me of a man who once disseminated pamphlets about government mind control on UNC's campus.
The Things Our Fathers Loved, written by John Paul Middlesworth and directed by Jack Sochet, depicts a young woman (Stephanie Turner) who is sorting through her father's (Michael Shannon) expansive album collection with the goal of discarding the bulk. As she solicits his input via Internet call to the elder-care apartment where he now lives, Turner gently demonstrates the patience, understanding, appreciation, and cooperation required under these circumstances in a way that invites the audience to emulate her.
Next is Judy B. Dove's Goodbye, We Will Miss You, also directed by Middlesworth, in which actors Drew Gulino and especially Michelle Kaiser draw out the comedy within her church's gossip and well-meaning support when they learn of a surgical procedure she is determined to keep secret. This was followed by True Mirror, written by Debra Kaufman and directed by Grace Siplon, in which a state fair's House of Mirrors reveals more than anticipated to adult sisters Kate (Rosanne Wagger) and Martha (Pamela Alberda).
Annie Taft's Johnny is directed by Travis Walsh and stars Michelle Kaiser as caretaker Abby and Michael Shannon as the aged Johnny, whose dementia has them talking in sadly humorous circles. Abby's character exemplifies the emotional care required in these situations as she coerces Johnny to brush his teeth and get dressed for breakfast, using the anticipated -- perhaps, imaginary -- arrival of a woman named Celeste whom he adores.
After intermission is The Yellowstone Caldera, written by Grace Siplon and directed by Jack Sochet, which depicts four college friends drinking beer around a table while they study for an exam. Juno (Chella Anderson), Jessica (Emily Chiola), Brian (Cameron Waters) and Will (Chase Condrone) all draw laughs with their delivery of Siplon's witty, well-placed lines. The friends' conversation moves from Geology to personal, often laughable conceptions of a well-lived life, culminating in Cella Anderson's beautiful self-acknowledgement: "My life doesn't get a 10, but the way I've lived it gets a 10." Throughout the play, the actors don't seem to be acting at all, which amplifies many seriously funny moments, making me wish that it didn't end so soon.
In the Rooms, written by Danielle Fenton and directed by John Paul Middlesworth, involves an increasingly comical discussion at an Alcoholics Anonymous clinic between an easy-to-spot Jewish woman (Danielle Fenton) and a privileged white Southern Catholic woman (Pamela Alberda). As they reveal their inner workings to one another, their humorous banter exposes their shared empathy.
No Clue, written by John Paul Middlesworth and directed by Travis Walsh, features the conflict between an author (Danielle Fenton) and her self-driven characters, played by Stephanie Turner and Cameron Waters. Emily Chiola provides thumbs-up comedic breaks as a waiter who seems to purposefully misinterpret what's ordered, delightfully reminding me of Bubble (Jane Horrocks) in the BBC comedic hit Absolutely Fabulous.
Rosanne Wagger's portrayal of chronically ill Shirley in Danielle Fenton's Leave 'em Laughing, directed by Maria Piskor, is refreshingly alive with laughable foresight, wisdom and good will, despite (or, perhaps, because of) what may seem like passive aggressive comments. Meanwhile, Chella Anderson depicts Shirley's daughter LuLu's calm, non-defensive, and appreciative character with the ease of a professional actor.
The final play -- Fish Hands, written by John Paul Middlesworth and directed by Grace Siplon -- is about a "Theater for One" production sponsored by an office supply company, and it's a perfect storm of talent and heart. The writing is spot-on and elicited laugh after deep-belly laugh from the audience. The production's Germanic manager Petra, played by Chella Anderson, is hilarious with her matter-of-fact delivery of sometimes ridiculous instructions, as solo audience member Drew Gulino adeptly expresses his increasing wariness of the madness unfolding before him -- madness that is expertly exacerbated by wacky theater scenes performed by Cameron Waters and Emily Chiola. I haven't laughed like that in a long time.
This was the first time I've attended an OdysseyStage 10✖10: Homegrown Talent production, but it certainly won't be the last. Tonight is your last chance to treat yourself to this good-for-the-soul experience.
