The Fourth Walsh

A Red Orchid Theatre presents the Chicago Premiere of HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING.

Four graduates of a conservative Catholic college return to their alma mater to celebrate a favorite professor being named President. Their reunion is a booze soaked existential crisis. Justin wrestles with the sins of his past. Emily is tortured by physical and emotional maladies.Teresa is a virtuoso of sanctimonious fervor. And Kevin spirals between becoming a priest or getting a girlfriend. In school, they united over an unwavering adherence to their faith and their teacher. In the real world, their rigid belief system has them on shaky ground. They are either digging their heels in deeper and/or seeking asylum in drink or denial.

Playwright Will Arbery captures the essences of this country’s turmoil in a backyard showdown. Arbery creates distinct characters, gives them ‘open bar’ inhibitions and conducts a tongue-lashing battle royale. The impetus of their division is Trump, abortion and a fractured religious understanding. Arbery creates an echo chamber of echo chambers as the characters mock or ignore each other’s lubricated soliloquies. Tensions are high. Monologues are long-winded. And the awkwardness is palpable. The audience feels trapped in observation mode -without a drink- as the Right turns wrong in  the flowing hypocrisy.     

Under the masterful direction of Dado, the performances of the ensemble are stellar. A messy Beck Nolan (Kevin) brings hilarity. Nolan endears as a drunken lost soul. His impulsive behavior feels organic as he drinks his way to enlightenment. Isa Grofsorean (Teresa) commands the stage with the certainty of someone who owns the deed. She confidently spews out propaganda with a dazzling smile. After briefly tending to her bruised pride, Grofsrean fixes a steely gaze on her next target. Each character has a definitive personality and dysfunctional dynamic in the chaos. Magdalena Dalzell (Emily) is the kind-hearted martyr. And the brooding Nate Santana (Justin) is the conflicted sinner.

The party goers are waiting for their former mentor to make an appearance. Kirsten Fitzgerald’s (Gina) climatic arrival doesn’t disappoint. The formidable Fitzgerald glides in with wine in hand to be cherished and adored. As her grown-up students bring her into the dueling certainties of life outside college, she attempts to school them. Fitzgerald bullies and cajoles to put the alumni in their place.

HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING effectively illustrates the inner workings of some Trump supporters. Their singular-focus is abortion. Their religious conviction makes them heroes. The show isn’t Revelations. It’s a party that goes on too long leaving you with a hangover.   

Running Time: Two hours and ten minutes with no intermission

At A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells Street

Written by Will Arbery

Directed by Dado

Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7pm

Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm

Thru December 6

For more information or tickets

Production photos by Evan Hanover

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