She Kills Monsters review

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REVIEW of Parkland College Theatre's production of She Kills Monsters.

Get to Parkland's Second Stage Theatre early for She Kills Monsters....Bask in the simple set and intimate 60-seat capacity confines...And take in the music. 

Director Mike O'Brien sets the mood for the show with an ultimate 1990's  playlist. The last song before the show starts is lyrically and  emotionally perfect Losing My Religion by REM from which the lyrics  resonate perfectly as if they were sung by SKM's late  protagonist Tilly to her sister Agnes in describing how she was living  an almost secret fantastic life through her Dungeons and Dragons life  and network of friends.

Every whisper, of every waking hour
I'm choosing my confessions
Like a hurt, lost and blinded fool - I set it up
Consider this the hint of the century
What if all these fantasies come - flailing around
I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try

We  learn that Agnes hadn't really done much trying in Tilly's lifetime,  but upon finding a Dungeon Master's journal among Tilly's belongings  after her tragic death, Agnes endeavors to find out what her sister was  up to - and ends up finding out who her sister really was.

The  insanely talented and versatile Jess Schlipf is perfectly cast as the  15 year old Tilly. Schlipf is known for straddling the real and  fantastic worlds in their performance art, so they seem right at home in  the fantastic virtual imagined world of their character's own  invention. Tilly tells us that the show is "D&D and not therapy" -  but it turns out that we find both by the end. Agnes is played by Emma  Petitt in her first Parkland and C-U area production. Calling on her  vast improv experience and skill, Petitt shows great evolution of  character in gradually building an appreciation for not just her sister  and sister's world, but also for connection, passion, openness and love.  It is awesome how the skepticism we have for Agnes as someone we could  possibly relate to and enjoy as a character in the first few scenes, is  ultimately inspiring us in battle scenes and moving us to (nearly) tears  with some emotional moments by the show's end.

Our  journey through this 95 minute one-act masterpiece is led by the  Dungeon Master (DM) Chuck - played by Douglas Malcolm (ironically and  perfectly, also DM). DM's energy and enthusiasm gives the show such an  infusion of electricity from his first entrance, and any Dungeons and  Dragons player would certainly want someone like him at the helm of  their experiential play. Watching his subtle narrative movements in the  "real world" when the action in the "fantasy world" is on the other side  of the stage was a real joy and a great reason to see the show more  than once.

Every  cast member stands out as O'Brien has put together an incredible blend  of Parkland student talent, new to the area actors, and veterans of the  local theatre scene. Ranae Wilson and Zoe Dunn have been in many  memorable shows in the past few years and both shine in their support of  the primary characters. Evil Cheerleaders Mariah Smith and Kiah Johnson  play off of each other so well and bring humor and tension to each  scene they appear in - I really hope that they are going to continue to  pursue other projects as our community theatre definitely needs the  confident, brazen and brilliant sort of characters those two brought to  their roles. Spencer Hazen's repeated appearances as "the great mate,  Steve" get laughs every time - it is a testament to his subtlety that  each entry seemed to get more and more hilarious. Solomon Robinson is  striking and perfectly costumed as the horned Orcus and Michael Ruby has  the nuance and serious disposition to pull off the complicated role of  someone whose show experience is rooted solely in the "real world". The  costuming by Brianna Malotke is worthy of a C-U at the Show Globe and  that is especially true with Kelsey Powell's amazonian Lilith. Malotke  has full command of the stage in every scene she is in as the D&D  character and when you see her contrasting presence in the real world  you will check your program multiple times to confirm that is in fact  the same person - brilliant juxtaposition and I hope Powell (whose  program bio is one of the best I've ever seen) keeps coming out for more  and more shows.

Nicolas  Shaw once again did great work on lights, and huge props (which there  actually were in the show) to Fight Choreographer Miles Norsworthy - the  swordplay and battles with axes and staffs is pretty unparalleled from  anything I've seen in this area before. Director O'Brien is a master  puppeteer and what he has done with the little evil puppet and the  dragons is spectacular.

See  this show - support local artists and theatres - be safe - live  passionately. "Life is a collection of stories" - live theatre enhances  that collection every time.

Eric Schacht
C-U at the Show