Kendra Thulin, Caroline Neff/Photo: Lee Miller
RECOMMENDED
Human connection is difficult; putting aside inhibition and flaw to reach out to someone is daunting. Reconnecting after betrayal is damn near impossible.
Harper Regan(Kendra Thulin) wants to go home; her diabetic father is in a coma and she needs to say goodbye. A boss’ refusal to grant time off awakens her sense of punk-rock rebellion and sends Harper on a three-day odyssey full of unsatisfying assignations. She discovers dizzying truths about her family’s recent fragmentation and tries to find the strength to put it all back together.
Thulin’s bedraggled vulnerability keeps the audience rooting for Harper, despite unorthodox behavior. Peter Moore captures the pain of her repentant spouse and Caroline Neff’s portrayal of their disoriented daughter is emotionally rich. Marcus Stephens’ unfinished set reveals torn insulation that offers no protection and wiring that connects to nothing, an apt environment for a family trying to find its way back. (Lisa Buscani)
At Steep Theatre, 115 W. Berwyn, (866)811-4111. Through February 27.
Related Stories
A Signal In The Noise: A Review of Birdland at Steep Theatre The U.S. premiere of Simon Stephens' new play at Steep Theatre is an uncompromising vision of toxic masculinity, celebrity culture and the global marketplace.
Oddly Old-Fashioned: A Review of Lela & Co. at Steep Theatre From the moment Argentina-born actress Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel as Lela takes the stage, we know that something complicated and interesting and a little mysterious is going on. It’s as though the character were performing herself in front of an invisible but demanding audience. This nimble layering of personality–a tribute to Gonzalez-Cadel’s acting prowess and Robin Witt’s directorial vision–supports the work’s theme:…
Swiss Miss: A Review of Zürich at Steep Theatre Structured as a series of vignettes across a range of contemporary issues, this Midwest premiere at Steep Theatre puts increasing distance between itself and its audience.
Give Up The Ghost: A Review of Hinter at Steep Theatre Steep Theatre presents the world premiere of Calamity West's haunting true-crime story about unsolved homicides in Bavaria after World War I.
Beast or Burden: A Review of First Love is the Revolution at Steep Theatre Blood, lust and love coalesce in the poignant personification of this Midwest premiere.
The Theater Plays Itself: A Review of Red Rex at Steep Theatre Prolific playwright Ike Holter turns his incisive gaze toward the Chicago storefront theater scene in this meta dramedy at Steep Theatre.
