“Out of Love”

Recommended *** I enjoy the works that our smaller theater companies bring to their stages. For the most part they are very realistic stories, making them easier to understand. The intimacy of the theater, for the most part , allows us to feel like that “fly on the wall” we have all heard about. The Rivendell Theatre , now serving as the venue for Interrobang Theatre Project is a great spot for a small play ( except for its location relative to parking),  This is where they are presenting the Unites State Premiere of Elinor Cook’s “Out Of Love”.

This is a story about two young ladies, who from the time they were tots became close and that friendship stayed despite their lives going in different directions. I think we all know people just like Grace ( Laura Berner Taylor) and Lorna ( Sarah Gise). They are bosom buddies and while they have their ups and downs in life, and they have many, they remain friends.

Directed by Georgette Verdin on a sparse set (Sotirios Livaditis) which certainly keeps your focus and with very little in the way of costuming (Steph Taylor) , we are taken into their lives. The play takes place in England, so they have accents ( and they do well thanks to Elise Kauzlaric), but I wonder what might the play look like if they dropped England and the actors spoke English ( they way we better know it)? I found that there are places where the action seemed disjointed, as we have scenes that take us to different times and back again.

Another problem, and I am sure part of that is limitations of a small theater company, all of the male parts are played by one man, and while Peter Gertas is a fine actor and attempts to make each one different , I truly feel that many audience members were a bit confused. Was Lorna kissing her father ? Her stepfather? Her boyfriend?

While the girls talk about leaving their small town life and becoming “somebody”, we never see that happen. Although these girls have a tight bond, their life-long relationship is not perfect. After all, are any relationships? Each of the women has an agenda and while they remain close during the ups and downs of their lives, each still seeks that something special. This one is very truthful in that their love for each other does have its limitations.

Lorna’s life seems to be the one with more focus on “family”. Her father “left” ( or did he?) and her step-father tries to be there for her. Gise is a delight to watch as the shyest of the two. Taylor’s Grace is fun. She is the wilder of the two. The one to try everything and the one that truly wants ( and perhaps needs) to keep their relationship alive. Watching these girls grow up, for many in the audience might have been a spark in their lives. There are some very cute scenes as well as some that deal with sexuality ( the intimacy and violence design by Claire Yearman was very realistic). The music and sound (Erik Siegling) and the lighting (Michelle Benda) completed the technical aspects of this 80 minute production that is both simple and complex.

“Out of Love” will continue at the Rivendell Theatre located at 5779 N. Ridge Avenue thru September 14th with performances as follows:

Thursdays  8 p.m.

Fridays  8 p.m.

Saturdays  3 and 8 p.m.

Sundays  3 p.m.

Tickets are $32 ( students $16 with ID) Industry also $16 with code ITPINDUSTRY

call 312-219-4140 or visit www.interrobangtheatreproject.org

Parking in the area is street as well as the lot at Senn High School.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Out of Love”