*** For the past several years, The Imposters Theatre Company has challenged playwrights to create original short plays based on a single ambiguous prompt. The beauty of the concept is that every writer begins with the same limitation, yet each takes the audience on a completely different journey. This year’s prompt centered on a bridge—a narrow, weathered crossing where travelers must pay a toll, whether symbolic or literal, in order to pass.Presented at the Den Theatre, Footholds Vol. 7 is a fast-moving, 90-minute production without intermission that showcases seven original short plays, each exploring the theme from a unique perspective.
The evening opens with one of the strongest entries, “Halberdiers” by Alex Fortune, directed by Tim McCarthy. The play immediately captures the audience’s imagination. Two border guards stand on opposite sides of a bridge, collecting passports and tolls day after day. Dave, played by Sam Martin, arrives with coffee and slowly begins a conversation with Judy, played by Mara Currens. Despite serving different countries with different rules, the two develop feelings for one another. Unable to touch or even kiss, they use their heavy military mantles to express their growing affection. Their tender connection is interrupted when a traveler, Charlie (Jared Sheldon), arrives to cross the bridge, forcing them back into their duties as border agents. It is a charming and surprisingly moving piece that says much about human connection through very few words.
The second play, “Burn That Bridge When You Get to It,” takes a more fantastical approach. Kene Ifezue plays a mysterious tollkeeper who acts as a magical guide, convincing travelers to cross into a new life. The price, however, is steep: they must leave their childhood and everything they love behind forever. Maria Clara Ospina portrays Darby, an innocent young girl who struggles with surrendering cherished memories, including her beloved teddy bear. The play begins with an intriguing premise and strong performances, though it loses some momentum as it progresses. Fortunately, the short-play format keeps the story engaging enough to maintain audience interest.
The third piece, “Beware! Trolls!” by Annika Andersson, revisits the theme of sacrifice while crossing a bridge, though this time through a more whimsical and literal fantasy setting. The entire cast participates, with Sam Martin as Stink, Jared Goudsmit as Stunk, Mara Currens and Kene Ifezue as travelers, and additional appearances from Maria Clara Ospina, Squeak Rangel, and Currens as river nymphs. The production embraces its fairy-tale influences while continuing the evening’s recurring themes of leaving something behind in order to move forward.
The remaining plays each take their own creative approach to the prompt. Some are more straightforward than others, and admittedly there were moments when I found myself uncertain of a playwright’s intended meaning. Still, because each piece is brief and entertaining, the evening never drags. Even when a particular story doesn’t fully connect, another is only minutes away.
One of the show’s most enjoyable touches comes between sketches. An old-fashioned tube television appears to introduce the next segment, creating the feeling that the audience is watching a quirky game show or late-night variety program. It provides smooth transitions and adds another layer of humor to the production.
The cast of Footholds Vol. 7 deserves praise for their versatility and enthusiasm. Throughout the evening, they shift between wildly different characters and styles while maintaining the audience’s attention. Although this was my first experience withThe Imposters Theatre Company, the enthusiastic audience response made it clear that the company has built a loyal following. The show’s quirky humor, imaginative storytelling, and willingness to embrace the bizarre seem particularly appealing to younger theatergoers looking for something different from traditional productions.
If you enjoy experimental theater, unusual concepts, and stories that challenge expectations, Footholds Vol. 7 is worth the trip to the Den Theatre. Not every sketch lands with equal impact, but the overall experience is creative, energetic, and undeniably unique. In a theater landscape often dominated by familiar titles, Imposters Theatre Company continues to provide a platform for fresh voices and bold ideas.
Footholds Vol. 7 runs through June 13 at the Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago. Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Street parking is available, and many nearby areas along Milwaukee Avenue offer free parking after 6:00 p.m.
Tickets are $26, with Special Reserve seating available for $31. Tickets may be purchased through the Den Theatre box office or
online at https://theimpostorstheatre.com/playsandevents.htm . If you’re looking for something imaginative, unconventional, and unlike anything else currently on Chicago stages, Footholds Vol. 7 delivers an entertaining evening of theatrical experience.
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Footholds Volume 7”
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