Ciara Cain, Emily Hope Turner (Photo by Zheng Qu)
Reviewed by Lovell Estell III
A Hollywood Fringe production at the Broadwater Main Stage
Through June 29
RECOMMENDED
It’s a near certainty that when you put three very dissimilar people together under the same roof, that challenges may arise, along with a fair share of drama and laughs. This is what transpires in Talisa Friedman’s dramedy about a trio of women — college freshman fumbling their way through the first months of college while enduring the stresses of sharing a dorm room.
Miri (Emily Hope Turner), Jordyn (Ciara Cain) and Roksana (Diana Malota) couldn’t be more different. Emily is Jewish, very naïve, and thrilled to be undertaking the college experience. Jordyn is African-American, spirited, opinionated and rebellious, while Roksana comes from a well-to-do Russian family and is a spoiled, self-absorbed brat and model.
Education and learning isn’t a high priority with these gals. Miri seems more interested in the social aspects of college life, and is soon thoroughly infatuated with a young man she’s met. Jordyn is heavily involved with the Black Students Union, and takes her commitment seriously, even to the point of heading a boycott of a “racist administration.” The ever glamorous, seductive Roksana, who has a rack of expensive clothing, has her own ideas about getting through college, and what to do to achieve that aim (none of which involves studying). She almost immediately becomes a lightning rod for dorm room drama, intrigue and jealousy, yet of the three, she is the most confident and possesses a self-assuredness that Jordyn and Miri lack.
Friedman’s script cleverly unearths the chemistry — or lack thereof — and the contrast of personalities among the women — but it does drag in some spots, and could use a bit of editing. Also, more judicious pacing is needed from co-directors Josie Andrews and Sierra Nutkevitch.
https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/1204O , Sat., June 21 11 am., Fri., June 27 6: 30 pm., Sun., June 29, 7:30 pm. Running time: 90 minutes with no intermission.
