My overall impression
Having seen parts of this story at Sacred Fool’s Serial Killers, I was glad to know that Jaime Andrews had pushed ahead and completed a full script.
Personifying that nagging voice we all have in our head is a compelling idea and watching Mr. Leggett’s embodiment of that ever-present voice is a lot of fun even as Monster pushes, accuses, blames, and guilts Cookie (Andrews) into becoming a low functioning, bad-girl version of herself. As Cookie indulges in all sorts of self-destructive behavior, we feel for this young woman struggling to grow up with no strong outside influence to help.
Guy Picot plays Cookie’s better self (“Sky Guy”) but Cookie dismisses this other voice early, leaving her alone with her Monster for most of the play (why she does that, I think, may be a question to be explored in a future draft). And she doesn’t just suffer endlessly because she listens to her Monster. Sometimes, Monster is right and Cookie wins. And here’s where the bigger vision of the play lies for me. Our monsters have taken over in the face of flimsy parenting, easy distraction, and endless access to every kind of indulgence. Why wouldn’t Cookie listen to her monster telling her kissing a penis will make her popular? There’s simply no one else around with a second opinion.
The cast that fills out Cookie’s world (Sunah Blisted, Curt “Henry” Bonnem, Perry Daniel, Peter Fluet, K.J. Middlebrooks, and Erin Parks) do a great job of playing multiple, funny roles and keeping things moving seamlessly.
The interplay between Andrews and Leggett is the flesh and blood of the play and it works throughout. Mr. Leggett can flash from funny and charming to darkly intimidating, like a bad boyfriend or put-upon father. The haunting words “Because I’m all you’ve got” would be a great tagline for the play.
And Jaime Andrews is just a delight to watch. Even as she drags herself through the emotional trenches of young adulthood, enduring humiliation, self-loathing, and empty victories, Andrews keeps the audience connected. We’ve all seen endless works based on the pain of growing up under whatever circumstances. Jaime Andrews, through both script and performance, keeps things intimate and engaging. Right on.
FULL DISCLOSURE: I know, have worked with, and am friends with most of the folks in this terrific cast. Leggett and Fluet are both part of a show I am currently doing. I’d say see the show for the cast alone but that wouldn’t be much of a review now, would it?
