Tue 4 May, 2010
GIRLS VS. BOYS – Review
Comments (0) Filed under: REVIEWSTags: 2 1/2 STARS, Chopin Theatre, Girls Vs. Boys, The House Theatre Of Chicago
By Venus Zarris
Orphans of the new millennium, where are your parents?
This is the question that runs through your mind while watching The House Theatre of Chicago’s new musical GIRLS VS. BOYS. In it, high school kids exist in a hyper reality of partying and sexual excess while they maneuver blindly through the emotional chaos of adolescence and sing some wonderful songs in the process.
This is a cast of immense enthusiasm, dedication and skill but GIRLS VS. BOYS suffers from that virus that attaches itself to many musicals, the virus of great songs and gifted performers floating in a script that can’t stand up to the music and talent involved. This does not doom a musical. As a matter of fact, this is a pretty common dilemma that plagues a good percentage of musicals, both old and new. I can think of several popular, successful and even extraordinary musicals that carry and overcome the weight of a weak or problematic book.
GIRLS VS. BOYS is one that carries the weight so well, it is easy to get past the snippets of melodrama that propel the story. The snippets are delivered by outstanding actors who manage to infuse their characters with surprising depth and they set up exceptional songs presented in a conceptually creative concert framework.
George, high school senior and lady’s man, is having a wild keg party. Casey, super-cool-loner senior, comes looking for his freshman sister Sam. Kruger has hooked up with Kate, which is cool because they are both totally awesome, but when his ex-girlfriend Lane shows up (after getting an abortion) things get understandably less awesome. Everyone is packing pistols; metaphors for their explosive hormones, fluctuating angst and the defenses that the kids raise and lower depending on how vulnerable they feel.
But don’t let the “O.M.G – W.T.F?” exposition scare you off. This cast takes a sophomoric story line that is inhabited by characters that you could easily dislike or not care about and renders an exciting theatrical event.
Enough can’t be said for the wonderful cast. Kevin Stangler makes a charming delight out of his superficially misogynistic George. Whitney White delivers Kate with a set of pipes that knocks your sox off. Joel Gross captures the brooding allure of grunge in his performance of Kruger. Tyler Ravelson and Nicky Scheunke bring an honestly awkward chemistry to their powerful portrayals of Casey and Lane. Dillan Arrick is darling as Sam and Briana De Giulio stands out in an already outstanding ensemble. You can’t help but be drawn in by the energy and presence of these completely vested performers.
Enough can’t be said for the terrific pit band. They create the thrill of a live concert and perfectly compliment the production. Ethan Deppe’s musical direction brings the best out of the singers and musicians.
Enough can’t be said for the tremendous original music by Kevin O’Donnell and Nathan Allen. There is more than one magical musical moment to be found in GIRLS VS. BOYS. Bigger hits have been made from musicals with far less musical merit. Song for song; GIRLS VS. BOYS knocks shows like RENT out of the water and if it had a decent book it would rock your evening out of the park. As it stands, it rocks pretty hard.
If you already have a problem with the suspension of disbelief that a musical requires of you or if your musical taste falls under the “old school” heading; GIRLS VS. BOYS might not work. But if you want to see and hear some exciting new music delivered by an infinitely compelling cast from a theater company that has made a name for itself by fearlessly taking creative risks, The House Theatre of Chicago’s GIRLS VS. BOYS is the show for you. From the supercharged opening to fantastic finale, GIRLS VS. BOYS is an impressive and entertaining production.
2 ½ STARS
(“GIRLS VS. BOYS” runs through May 29 at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division Street. 773-251-2195)
The House Theatre of Chicago
Chopin Theatre :: Event
GIRLS VS. BOYS production photos by John Taflan.
