The Fourth Walsh

A Red Orchid presents THE TARGETED.

Rhonda carries a kit to extract microchips. Didi wears a specially-made cloaking device. Eric stuffs his hat with foil. They are each in physical, mental and emotional pain. They are Targeted Individuals (TI) being harassed and tortured by the government. And the worst part, their families and friends can’t comprehend their suffering. They have gathered with fellow believers at the Solidarity and Truth Summit. Eric’s sister is  attending the weekend conference too. She is trying to understand. Her search for answers leads to a lot more questions.

Playwright Hanna Kime pens a tale about the people behind the conspiracy theories. Television shows conveying messages. Rays inflicting excruciating misery. Celebrities being held captive. The show starts with a running loop of conspiracy theories (Projections Designer Eme Ospina-Lopez). The cringe-worthy commentary is akin to a Fox News-athon. Kime doesn’t just pile on the crazy sh#t. She takes special care to illustrate the humanity behind the lunacy. She doesn’t make fun. She represents what’s going on in the heads and in the ecosystem of the afflicted. Kime’s script is steeped in heart, humor and horror.

Under the direction of Grace Dolezal-Ng, the ensemble (Kirsten Fitzgerald, Lawrence Grimm, Sadieh Rifai, Natalie West, Glenn Obrero and Stephanie Shum) is terrific! Coming in hot, Fitzgerald fills the stage and the summit with her menacing presence. She is zealous in her beliefs. Although the always delightfully obtuse West won’t be bullied by her, Rifai, a newcomer searching for answers, gets consumed by  forceful Fitzgerald.

In another cabin, Shum struggles to ground her brother (played by Obrero) in reality. Although she continually leads with empathy, her logic and big sister tendencies pushes her into attack mode. One of her confrontation has her in the audience debating Grimm as the facilitator. Dolezal-Ng stages this with Grimm often speaking to the audience as Summit attendees. His calm, soothing delivery contrasts Shum spiraling out of control. Grimm is perfectly hysterical in this role.

THE TARGETED is definitely thought-provoking. It does what theatre does! It best represent all sides and force you to consider a different perspective.

Running Time: One hours and forty-five minutes with no intermission

At Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division

Written by Hanna Kime

Directed by Grace Dolezal-Ng

Performances are:

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm

Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm

EXTENDED Thru June 14

For more information or tickets

Production photos by Evan Hanover

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