THE PLAY: A dance team prepares for the finals, while expressing personal feelings about their adolescent longings and burgeoning sexuality.

 

THE PRODUCTION: When I was watching this play, the first thing that came to mind was The Wolves, which TheatreVCU produced last season (my review). Actually, this play was written first, but it’s similar in that they’re both modern works with minimal narrative that focus on character moments with young women. This group of preteens expresses their doubts and insecurities (sometimes in R-rated moments) with occasional humor, but more often with anger or confusion. The all-adult cast is uniformly forceful, embodying reflections of their youth with intense resolve. Director Maggie Roop has boosted this ensemble with powerful energy. Dasia Gregg’s set is simply a dance studio with typical surrounding props. There are a few focused lights for moments outside the studio. NOTE: Sit in the 2nd row for a subwoofer boost. Running time: 1:45

 

THE POINT: This sometimes raw exploration of a group of pre-teens and their emotional expression is given a sometime visceral, tightly-wound production.

 

(3.5 / 5)

 

At TheatreLAB thru 8/3