TURTLES ARE MY FAVORITE ANIMALS

REVIEW: TURTLES

BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO

Claire Larson, left, Alexa Yeames and Victoria Ortiz, bottom. Photo Credit: Tantris Hernandez.

There are two fundamental types of theatrical works: first, the ones whose magic lasts only until the final curtain, and second, the ones whose magic comes home with you well after the final curtain has fallen. The West Coast Premiere of John Greiner-Ferris’ Turtles, produced by Red Cup Theatre Company, is of the latter sort. It’s a fresh, introspective and poignant play that leaves the audience with questions and considerations. What makes Turtles even better is that it’s content and characters are not lofty or esoteric, it’s a simple story with real-life characters—you’ll be intrigued from the first scene.

This production of Turtles at the smallest theatre at the Atwater Village Theatre proves just how important and exciting intimate theater in Los Angeles is. Director Laura Steinroeder masterfully interprets this wild play and presents a version that is true to the work yet accessible for audiences.  Simply put, John Greiner-Ferris Turtles is about a group of isolated characters that reside on the outskirts of society, to be more specific, “in the weeds by the intersection”. It’s the sense of isolation and fear that looms over the whole play, which is also echoed in the production’s visual elements.

The lighting design by Matthew Gorka underscores this isolation by lighting only the main area of the stage and also elegantly takes us through all the times of day and night. The set design by Todd Hulet is simple yet effective, consisting of wooden crates and items you might find on the side of the road; nothing is out of place with the story. The set design is complemented by the urban projections by Travis Kelly. Finally, the sound design by Gregory Keslake adds that final aural element that transports us to the various locations.

Victoria Ortiz, left, Alexa Yeames, Claire Larsen and Eduardo Fernandez-Baumann. Photo Credit: Tantris Hernandez.

What further makes this play unique is that it showcases five female characters, many of them often portraying men. The three main characters in this play are a family unit (all played by women), a single mother and her two children. They’re a gritty, true to life representation of struggling family, the kind you may see on street corners and freeway entrances. The other two women characters ,Arie Thompson and Katie McCuen, represent the men in Bella’s life who have made her an outsider in the world.

Claire Larsen (Bella) is the mother who has run away with her children. Larsen’s portrayal is compelling and honest—she’s a cigarette smoking, redneck, fallen woman who wants to do what’s best for her kids. Her oldest daughter, Alexa Yeames (Foos) is a bright-eyed teenager who believes in her momma—Yeames fully embodies the spirit of this young girl with her high-speed rambling and hurried physical movements, all the teenage angst is right there.

Katie McCuen and Claire Larsen. Photo Credit: Tantris Hernandez.

The little brother, Victoria Ortiz (Finn) is a child with a mental disorder of some kind who enjoys portraying various animals (turtle, goat, dog, bird). Ortiz’s performance is powerful; she’s able to capture the innocence of this child who is an outsider of the real world and the family. Eduardo Fernandez-Baumann (Jesús) is profound and enigmatic; everything he says carries so much weight and beckons full attention. He’s the character who we never know if he is actually Jesus or just a kind man named Jesús.

Victoria Ortiz. Photo Credit: Tantris Hernandez.

Playwright John Greiner-Ferris is not afraid to make the audience uncomfortably aware that families like this exist, yet we often turn the other way instead of lending a helping hand. For in this play, the audience is forced to observe and confront the reality of their desperation.

In line with their mission, Red Cup Theatre Co. challenges and engages audiences with this contemporary play that begs you to take a little piece home with you to ponder. Turtles runs through May 29^th 2016 at the Atwater Village Theatre.

For more information and tickets visit: redcuptheatreco.com.