Babes With Blades Theatre Company’s “yo ho.,” with Rachel Sleek-Bañuelos, Stef Brundage and Sierra Bryn/Photo: Tom McGrath/TCMcG Photography
Audiences love stories of queer life on the high seas like the one at the center of playwright SMJ’s “yo ho.” For every “Master and Commander” fic, there’s a proud reclamation like HBO’s “Our Flag Means Death.” In times of entrenched conservatism, queer people of all backgrounds could take to the waves, living freely, seeing the world and committing felonies against the crown.
“yo ho.,” in its world premiere from Babes With Blades Theatre Company at the Edge Off-Broadway, is a comic twist on the fabled romance between the noted pirates Mary Read and Anne Bonny. Both were born into tough circumstances in Stuart-era England and left it all behind for a pirate’s life. SMJ takes their story and gives it modern resonance, exploring identity and compulsory heterosexuality with gleeful anachronism (one pivotal scene is set over a game of Jenga).
It’s a shame, then, that there is simply too much play. “yo ho.”‘s waterlogged second act drags the play down, and seems to just create problems for the lovers. Freewheeling characters like Calico Jack, the captain of the ship (who is also Anne’s lover) suddenly become jealous and controlling, leading to interminable plot loops that should walk the plank. Luckily, JD Caudill has directed a strong production, a brilliant showcase for Babes With Blades’ trademark fight choreography, rendered here by Carly Belle “CB” Cason. Laura J. Wiley’s lighting design is spectacular, pulling us in and out of the play’s many locations and giving elegant texture to life on the boat.
“yo ho.” also boasts a wonderful cast, including Brittani Yawn and William Delforge, utility players whose ensemble work credibly fleshes out the five-person cast. At the performance I saw, Cris King (understudying for Stef Brundage) went on as Calico Jack, wringing out pathos in a character who has to pivot from menace to emotional anchor as he explores his own identity. As the central lovers, Sierra Bryn and Rachel Sleek-Bañuelos are engaging, imbuing their fanfic-worthy relationship arc with heart and good humor.
As fun as the production elements of “yo ho.” are, it’s hard to call this an unqualified success when the leaner, meaner, one-act version of this play haunts its current iteration like the Flying Dutchman. “yo ho.” has plenty of potential, all of which is pointed to by its excellent staging.
“yo ho.” is on stage at The Edge Off-Broadway Theater, 1133 West Catalpa, through August 29. Tickets available here.
