In a rare departure from their traditionally excellent musical productions this season, Skokie Theatre is presenting award-winning former Chicago playwright, Rebecca Gilman’s “Boy Gets Girl.” The show is filled with outstanding performances, spot-on direction, and authentic dialogue as the audience watches the characters spin out of control.
Successful New York journalist and independent woman Theresa Bedell longs for a new relationship and is ready to get fixed up. When she goes out with Tony for a beer, she thinks he might have potential. After she goes out with him again, she realizes they have nothing in common and gently tells him “it’s me and not you.” Unfortunately, Tony won’t take no for an answer and starts to stalk her at home, at work, everywhere she goes.
When Tony ratches up the stalking, Theresa calls the police and gets an order of protection against him. Unfortunately, he’s not deterred, and Theresa must walk on eggshells to get on with her life. Will she go as far as moving to a new apartment, quitting the job she loves, moving to a new city, even changing her name?
Olivia Winters as Theresa is the whole show as she navigates this horrible scenario. You watch her slowly descend into madness over what she cannot control from frustration to fear to boiling anger. Colton Schied plays Tony, the crazed stalker who seems nice at first, then comes out swinging with violent behavior (not seen). Interestingly, Gilman places him in Act 1, but in Act 2 two, when only his actions are depicted, not his presence.
Coworkers Howard Siegel (Vincent Mahler) and Mercer Stephens (Nat Kier) are her supportive friends who get caught up in the drama, as confused as she is. Their strong performances serve as her bookends. Carly Renee Davis as Harriet lends a touch of humor to the show as her clueless, highly incompetent assistant who inadvertently makes the situation worse. Douglas Levin plays the obnoxious filmmaker Les Kennat who Theresa must interview for a story. His demeaning portrayal of women in his films repulses her, yet her feelings change about him as he undergoes serious health issues. Kimmy Higginbotham plays police officer, Madeline Beck with empathy and compassion in a very tough job.
Tight direction by Steve Scott is key to the show’s impact, which creates the suspense that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. How is this going to end?
The show is produced by Wendy Kaplan with Wayne Mell as Associate Producer. Also, kudos to Wayne Mell for the innovative set design that rotates seamlessly between Theresa’s office and her apartment.
Boy Gets Girl is playing through November 24. The theatre is located at 7924 Lincoln Ave in
downtown Skokie, IL. For tickets, call 847-677-7761 or visit their website at skokietheatre.org. Check out the full calendar of events at Skokie Theatre coming up for the holidays and beyond.
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