Gifted
Reviewed by Emily Hawkins
Sacred Fools Theater Company
Through February 29
RECOMMENDED
It’s often thought that if everyone is special, then nobody is. But what if we refuse to recognize our special gifts — or even choose to actively reject them? Convinced that her special gift — the ability to see the romantic fate of any couple she comes across — is her curse, Ash (Kacie Rogers) fights to overcome her own insecurities to reach a place of acceptance and understanding. Sacred Fools’s new production of Bob DeRosa’s Gifted explores what it is that makes us special through the cleverly crafted direction of Rebecca Larsen.
In the play, Ash recalls her visit to her hometown a year earlier. As Ash, Rogers needs to exhibit more vulnerability in intimate moments; on the other hand, she confidently leads us through the retelling of Ash’s journey, in which “visions” of the couples’ fates are illustrated through unique dances. Scenes flow from one to the next as the ensemble fluidly reconstructs the space with the simple shifting of metal frames and boxes.
All of the actors expertly transition from their roles as half of a random couple to customers in bookstores and cafés to members of Ash’s newfound community of fellow gifted persons. They share amusing anecdotes about their special talents and how these have affected everyday interactions. The group maintains a lighthearted atmosphere, aided by Matt Richter’s unique lighting. Richter has carefully constructed a distinctive design using uncommon lighting instruments such as neon bar signs and Moroccan lamps. Jaime Robledo’s sound doesn’t quite keep to the same rhythm throughout the production, but the show’s familiar pop tunes, mixed with the instrumental interludes, don’t detract from the action.
While many characters are charming and interesting — Ash’s new boyfriend Randy (Ross Philips) and Lisa (Madeleine Heil), the café server who knows what everyone’s going to order before they even look at the menu — others are not as developed. As the hostess of the gifted people salon, Libby Baker’s Marla comes across as a one-dimensional TED talk speaker, whose sole purpose is to move the plot along. Carrie Keranen’s Charlotte overextends, probing, in her own existential journey, for unattainable emotional depth.
An upbeat production, Gifted explores the gifts of ordinary people in everyday life. A skillfully developed plot and purposeful direction lead the audience to see that “the book is more interesting than the cover.”
Broadwater Black Box, 6322 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., Feb. 2 & 16, 4 p.m.; Mon., Feb. 17, 8 p.m.; through Feb. 29. www.sacredfools.org. Running time: two hours and 15 minutes with an intermission.
