“The Sporting Life” reviewed by Frank Meccia

** I was supposed to review “The Sporting Life”  two weeks ago, but due to a schedule conflict and a brief illness, I decided to see it over Halloween weekend instead. Unfortunately, that decision turned into a waste of 110 minutes.

The audience of about 25 people, mostly under 30—laughed through much of the violence, but as a senior theatergoer, I was more appalled than amused. What was billed as dark comedy or satire felt more like a blood-soaked parody of horror films, with little depth or message to justify its brutality.
The play centers on Dot (short for Dorothy), a 16-year-old high school girl who is distraught that she hasn’t yet had her period. Played by Ziare Paul-Emile, a Northwestern Theatre graduate, Dot confides in her best friend Mikayla (Amanda Elena de las Fuente), who tells her about a witch in the woods who granted her wish for breasts—but at a terrible price: a man had to die. Mikayla’s victim of choice was her teacher, who also happens to be a priest.

Encouraged by this gruesome tale, Dot seeks out the same witch, Sherry (Elizabeth MacDougald, a seasoned performer), after being embarrassed by her math teacher. Sherry is portrayed as a serial killer who despises all men and believes that women can only achieve freedom through killing.
Dot’s father Joe (Bryan Breau), a widowed and naïve man, tries his best to protect his daughter but comes across as a socially awkward “nerd.” Ian Mason plays a classmate with a crush on Dot—though he also doubles as another male character, leading to confusion. The same issue applies to Bill Daniel, who portrays multiple male roles including the priest, math teacher, sheriff, and local cop. With all the doubling, it was often unclear who was who.

The plot’s progression from teenage insecurity to gleeful bloodlust feels disturbingly abrupt. Once Dot finally gets her period—graphically, with blood literally spilling across the stage—she and the witch embark on a killing spree targeting men. The “code” for a kill is simple: if a man offers the witch alcohol, he dies. The supposed twist comes when Dot’s father offers her chamomile tea instead, and she falls in love.
Unfortunately, this long, chaotic play devolves into one violent tableau after another—decapitations, disembowelments, and enough fake blood to mop the stage. It’s a mash-up of every B-grade horror flick you can name, from Night of the Living Dead to Halloween to Friday the 13th—though, frankly, those films had better production quality and clearer purpose. And, I have to admit, I am tired of the senseless Catholic bashing.

This was my first visit to The Factory Theater, located at 1623 W. Howard in Chicago. ” The Sporting Life” runs through November 22, with tickets priced at $30  and are available at boxoffice@factorytheater.com.

If excessive gore and campy horror humor are your thing, you might find it entertaining. But for anyone expecting story, meaning, or craftsmanship, The Sporting Life is a swing—and a miss.
Parking on the street.
Performance dates are  Oct 17 to Nov 22
Friday & Saturday 8pm

Sunday 3pm

Thursday Nov 13 & 20th  8pm

Tickets General Admission $30

Access Tickets for low income $10.00

Tickets at box office: www.thefactorytheater.com

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at  “The Sporting Life”.