Steep Theatre presents the Midwest Premiere of IF THERE IS I HAVEN’T FOUND IT YET.
Playwright Nick Payne dissects family disfunction from a global warming perspective. As a weight-challenged teenager battles her self-worth, her parents drift listlessly apart from each other and her. Her father, in particular, obsesses over saving the earth from environmental ruin. His tunnel vision blocks his view of the potential destruction in his personal world. The appearance of an unconventional family member stirs their stagnant pot. Payne’s cautionary tale is riddled with dark humor and truth.
Director Jonathan Berry paces this show with un-Steep-like subtlety. A Steep hallmark is an entire ensemble embroiled in angst. In this show, most of the cast deals with turmoil in polite acknowledgement and dismissal. The emotional outbursts are muted. Caitlin Looney (Anna) is sullen. Peter Moore (dad) is distracted. And Cynthia Marker (mom) is frigid. Within this indifferent and quiet home, Berry plops the colorful Shane Kenyon (uncle). The hilarious Kenyon disturbs the routine. He unabashedly and instantly provides individual and collective diagnoses and prescriptions for change. Since Kenyon is his own hot mess, his ‘assistance‘ is met with varying degrees of resistance.
All Payne’s characters are flawed but likable. Under Berry’s direction, the formidable Kenyon cracks the icy facades to find the warmth in each. His interactions violate their established personas. His interference endears, empowers and enrages. We see Looney, Moore and Marker soften under Kenyon’s pressure. Berry chose to play up Kenyon’s volatile nature by keeping the others‘ emotions understated. Although this decision mostly worked, a pivotal scene was more lukewarm than scorching.
IF THERE IS I HAVEN’T FOUND IT YET has imperfect heroes that ignite change. It’s an honest portrayal of life in progress.
Running Time: One hour and forty-five minutes with no intermission
At Steep Theatre, 1115 W. Berwyn
Written by Nick Payne
Directed by Jonathan Berry
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8pm
EXTENDED Thru June 7th
Buy Tickets at www.steeptheatre.com
Production photo by Lee Miller