“Teenage Dick” a second look

[rating=3] I am not used to watching a play on my computer. Plus, I am truly having” theater withdrawl” during this Covid-19 period of our lives. I know that “Teenage Dick”,, Mike Lew’s updated version of Shakespeare’s most disabled character, Richard. In this version, Richard has cerebral palsy making him somewhat of an outcast. Those who do not understand him and his need to be liked, shy away from him, or worse, pick on him. He desires to show his classmates, and his teachers that he can rise above it all and become the class president. His rivals for this important high school position are the “jock” and the whiny nerd”.

This ninety minute production directed by Brian Balcom was to be on the stage at Theater Wit, but as we all know, due to the virus that has hit the world very hard, and all theater came to a halt. However, Theater Wit opted to try something very new, a video of the last dress  with an audience and this is what they are presenting to us now. A production that can be watched on a smart TV, computer, phone or any other version of a computer one might have.

It is 90 minutes with no intermission and not being a camera angle person, I found it to be as I would see from a seat in the theater itself. The audience is on two sides of the playing area and the other walls are great lockers that convert to other things. The play is about perception. disability and how people will use whatever they can to reach the goals they seek. No one wants to be bullied, an din this case, Richard, who has been the victim all of his life, becomes the bully in his own way.

There is also a love story, or two in this play. Richard falls in love or at least lust with Ann, his rival Eddie’s ( Captain of the football team, current class president) ex, and when given the opportunity, uses her for his own revenge.

There are a number of entanglements that bring us to the tragic ending. If you realize that this is based on one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, you must understand that despite it being modernized, it doesn’t have a happy ending.

You can find Julia’s review on this site as well, and since she judged it more on the film technique over the play itself and production, hers might be just a shade lower than mine. While she thought the production values were high and the talent super, she viewed it more as a film ( and that is where her background is), and lowered her rank based on that .

“Teenage Dick” will continue to run ( at your home or office) thru April 19th.

Performances are as follows:

Thursday  8 p.m.

Friday  8 p.m.

Saturday  8 p.m.

Sunday  2:30 p.m.

You pick the date at www.theaterwit.org

The cost is $28 and understand that the cast and crew are being paid as if they were performing live. This in itself is a blessing on your part.

You will get a confirmation and further instructions on the day of and then right before the performance, a code to get into the “theater” for the performance and on Thursdays, the talkback after the show.

This is something special that has other benefits as well. People who cannot get tot he theater easily, can participate in viewing this type of production. Who knows, this may become added value in the future.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Reviw Round-up and click at “Teenage Dick”.

Note: The cast is terrific. Macgregor Arney is a powerful Richard/Dick and  Courtney Rikki Green is a marvelous Anne. Their dance scene ( choreographed by Josh Ganzer) is amazing. The teahccer, Liz Cloud, the only adult in the room ( so to speak) is dynamite and I was quite impressed with Ty Fanning, Tamara Rozufsky and Sarah Price.

Frank and I will also talk about the show and techniqueon Sunday at 2 p.m. WCPT820 am radio Chicago- aroundthetownchicago.