Nature, Mental Health, and Grief Come Together in a Strong Production with Detailed Design
The Theatre, located in the South Bay, welcomed another season with a packed opening night on Thursday, January 15th. I had never seen so many people in that space, and it was amazing to have witnessed it.
Swing State, written by Rebecca Gilman, is a new play that debuted in 2022. Set in rural Wisconsin, Peg (Jennifer Scibetta) recently lost her husband, who had just retired, and is thinking about her next steps. Ryan (Lester Isaruiz) has known Peg and her husband since he was a little boy. Coming from a broken family with addiction, and with his own former trouble, Ryan helps out Peg with miscellaneous chores around the multi-acre property. When some things go missing from Peg’s house, Kris (Denae Steele), the town sheriff, along with her niece Dani (Jenna Reneepekny), also a cop, has her eyes on Ryan. When Peg shares a life decision, things take a drastic turn.
I have mentioned this before. Onstage maintains this continuity by keeping the game strong with these thriller-like feel-play moments, having audiences glued to their seats through discomfort, questioning, or just following along.
Patrick Mason’s set design used the entire stage space to create a worn, memory-filled home, detailed from top to bottom, with wallpaper, pictures, books, knick-knacks, and silverware. Onstage is also known for its set designs, but this one is top-notch. -Shed, tomato plant, and hose- included. Ginger Chody’s lighting design is detailed and meticulous, following the scenes and leaving two lights on every time it went dark. Call me obsessive, dear reader, another aspect I truly enjoy about set designs is functioning appliances. Having a working refrigerator and water cooler just adds to this experience. Add Jaden Guerrero’s soundtrack with Dolly Parton, Madonna, and some Country, along with Adult Contemporary, and I am there!. It truly illustrated the midwestern feel.
James P. Darvas directs this piece, marking a sharp, fast rhythm in which attention is present alongside the trace. Jennifer Scibetta, in her Onstage debut, is the axis, having powerful solo scenes and with all her castmates. Great to see returning actors: Lester from Fragment/o/s of Air/e, Denae in White Guy on the Bus, and Jenna from Devil in a Box. Lester, from play to play, has shown better character development and histrionic strength. The role of Kris was made for Denae, who totally ran with it and truly made it her own. As unlikable as Kris is, the character is a hoot, with a press-on wig to match. Jenna brought another mindful and felt portrayal with an intense action scene that upped the bar. The foursome worked and meshed well.
Brad Dubois’ costumes added to Peg and Ryan’s personalities and framed the time. From pajamas, to jeans, to rain boots. The cops’ attire could be seen as “easier,” but it’s still very detailed and includes all the gear.
Onstage started the year strong. This play invites reflection on topics such as children, family, loss, addiction, and mental health, wrapped in an intriguing message about nature. It is almost as if Rebecca Gilman is letting people know that all of this goes hand in hand and that one cannot thrive without the other.
Currently playing until February 8.
The Stage Manager for this play is Rhae Ferrer.
