Steppenwolf for Young Adults series presents the Chicago premiere of LEVELING UP.
Playwright Deborah Zoe Laufer tackles video game addiction. Laufer pens a cautionary tale of the real danger of virtual reality. Her twentysomething roommates spend the majority of their time competing in pretend worlds. They effectively avoid dealing with adulthood as they focus on getting to the next level in their games.
Under the direction of Hallie Gordon, the ensemble, Carolyn Braver, Jerry MacKinnon, Clancy McCartney, JJ Phillips, is virtually and literally outstanding. Their interactions are authentic. The snappy dialogue is companionable. The gestures are natural. Phillips and MacKinnon have a special handshake. McCartney jumps onto the couch with marveling precision. Braver flirts with an innocent coyness. Everything about these guys looks perfectly day-in-the-life ordinary. With game controls in their hands, they all jerk and react as if they are actually playing. They are so real, it gets dull. We are watching them playing video games. The dissection of a Millennial slacker is fascinating at first then it gets boring then it gets irritating.
Projection Designer Anna Henson creates the game visuals on Scenic Designer Brian Sidney Bembridge’s unfinished basement wall. Henson showcases how war game imagery has gotten so intense and vivid. This isn’t a Mario and Luigi scenario. These video games have clearly leveled up. The technology progression is impressive. The players’ obsessions are disturbing. The desensitizing of life and death repercussions is scary.
Laufer’s play makes a statement. For the targeted young adult audience, it may be heavy-handed. For older adults, the monotony of the subject matter may be over the top. Undeniably, LEVELING UP has a point and it makes it. Game over.
Running Time: Ninety minutes with no intermission
At Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted
Written by Deborah Zoe Laufer
Directed by Hallie Gordon
At 10am on March 4th, 5th, 6th, 11th, 12th, 13th
At 7:30pm on March 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th
at 6pm on March 15th
Buy Tickets at www.steppenwolf.org