DON’T SAY DEAD!
REVIEW: DNA
BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO
Introducing RED CUP THEATRE COMPANY! It is always a treat to see the inaugural production of a brand new theatre company and Red Cup Theatre Company’s presentation of Dennis Kelly’s (book for Matilda the Musical) poignant play DNA rises to the occasion. With inaugural productions there is always a sense of wonder and excitement as the first production of a new theatre company offers a glimpse for what the future will bring—keep your eye on Red Cup: their future is bright!
DNA was commissioned in 2007 by the National Theatre Connections, London’s annual youth theatre program, and tells the story of a group of teenagers who do something bad, then panic and scramble to cover their tracks. Although the original play was written for a British audience, director Laura Steinroeder contacted Kelly and worked with him to transfer this play’s vernacular to suit the United States. This play is raw, baleful and black to the nth degree, making William Golding’s The Lord of the Flies seem like a boyscout camping trip. Kelly doesn’t waste any time as the drama kicks-off in the first scene when blood is spilled.
Grace Yoo, left, and Nora King. Photo Credit: Gary Gangi.
First we meet Jan (Nora King) and Mary (Grace Yoo), a dynamic duo rarely seen apart. They immediately seize the audiences’ attention with their “little girl” hysteria—their faces plastered with that look children get when they’ve done something wrong.
The two most developed characters in this production are Leah (Katie Kerr) and Phil (Donathan Walters). Much like Jan and Mary they are also paired, however, their interactions are fully synergistic yet individually they are equally compelling. Leah is a deep character who delivers many monologues, bringing an existential insight into the action of the play. Kerr’s performance of these moments is focused and mesmerizing—everything she says is genuinely introspective and inquisitive.
Katie Kerr, left, and Donathan Walters. Photo Credit: Gary Gangi.
Phil, her counter part, is stoically mute with the exception of three spoken instances. In lieu of talking, he is always seen eating and comunicating non-verbally: in the course of the play he eats a popsicle, candy, a muffin, and a waffle—a brilliant and effective directing choice by Steinroeder. By far the most compelling character, Phil is developed through and through—an enigma, child genius or psychopathic mastermind, you decide.
The 11 person cast works well under the pressures of opening night and there is no doubt that after a few more performances the rest of the cast will find their mark and fully immerse themselves in the world of DNA.
Katie Kerr, left, and Donathan Walters. Photo Credit: Gary Gangi.
Given Dennis Kelly’s vague setting notes, the work allows a design team to have complete creative freedom. The direction by Steinroeder is smart, innovative and focused; she brings this cyclical black comedy to L.A. audiences creating a theatrical experience that is modernly austere while bringing light to DNA’s issues of violence, guilt, unrequited love, and tyranny. The lighting design by Matthew Gorka adds optical depth to this work and is superbly executed, especially for an opening night performance. Additionally, the scenic design by Nicholas Acciani provided the quintessential scenic elements to retain starkness of the work leaving the audience to fill in the blanks.
The cast of DNA. Photo Credit: Gary Gangi.
Raise your cup to Red Cup Theatre Company for their successful production of DNA which is cunningly dark and profound. Playing at the fantastic Atwater Village Theatre, nestled between Glendale and Los Feliz, DNA runs December 10th-20th Thursday-Saturday at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. For more information and tickets visit: redcuptheatreco.com.
