My overall impression
Fearless. Fierce. Honest. Dark. Funny. Imagine a girl growing up with a monster from “Where the Wild Things Are.” Autobiographically-based plays are hard: they’re hard to write, to perform, and to watch. Ms. Andrews succeeds where most artists fail in this genre. She wrote and plays a character that is subjected to and participates in the urges of her monster, and we take that ride with her. It ain’t preachy or didactic, just experiential. It’s based on Ms. Andrew’s life, but I bet there are a lot of other people who can personally relate. This is the kind of play I’d like to see touring high schools with paid actors. I think it could be a catalyst for dialogue between parents, teachers, and students. And have the students moderate the talkback between actors and audience. The adults need to fess up about their monsters, too, just like Perry Daniels’ character does in the end. Kudos to the rest of the players. Ms. Andrews has assembled an impeccable cast who I’ve seen in lead roles in other productions. Tight ensemble acting, everyone pitch-perfect. Opposite Jaime Andrews is the formidable Scott Leggett. Consummate.
Finally, plays don’t direct themselves. JJ Mayes did a great job keeping everything clear, crisp, moving, and impactful.
