What I liked
The ensemble connection between the teenage girls was a particularly bright spot. I specifically liked their butting heads, as well as, their humor in the face of adversity. Also, the interactions between the girls and their mother’s were powerful. Though the stage space was limited, the set was comfortably full. The staging always made it clear where the characters were.
What I didn't like
There were times where it wasn’t quite clear what the actors were saying, but this problem was rare enough that it wasn’t too distracting. Also, I found myself wishing we had more time with the girls. Every time they got to interact, it elevated the production. A longer run time would allow us to better connect with the girls and their individual struggles. Though, leaving the audience wanting more isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
My overall impression
The heart of the show is in the characters and what they are going through. This is where the production succeeds most. The themes of generational trauma and failed systems bring to light the suffering more people experience than we are comfortable accepting. This show forces us to confront how we let down some of the most vulnerable people in society. Both the mothers left to fend for themselves and the children forced to grow up far to soon.
