Dr. 2's Surgery with Patient Monger at the Greenhouse Theater Center
Patient: Monger
Legal Guardians: Playwright Mary Bonnett, Director John Mossman
Surname: Greenhouse Theater Center
Address: 2257 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago
Insurance: Paperkutz
Symptoms: teenage angst, casual criminality, broken dreams
Diagnosis: Hobbyist
“Are you a Jake, Dad?”
Operation Overview:
I entered the patient’s surgery room with slight surprise. It was immediately immersive. It was the set of a seasoned theater designer. It was the best deal a minimal black box had to offer: a kiss of minimalism while still feeling full. The screen projections that displayed the perverse computer lurking of the monger were framed with a (finally) tasteful fragmented design. These typical typing sessions could have been dangerously boring to the audience, but their creeper chat rooms totally brought a Law and Order SVU vibe to the stage. That is hard to do with authenticity. I’m so tired of Mademoiselle A being pounced by Evil Stalker Guy B—BUH BUH. I’m glad Christopher Meloni left SVU late in the show.
Nurse, why have we been seeing so many three to two man patients? Is there profit in this? Is there a mall kiosk somewhere in Broadway, New York, selling these scripts by the dime? The story was good, but you know, I’m just sayin’. Ira Amyx as J.B. Benton stole my heart with his sexslavephilia. He was boyish in his relationships with family and clients but delicate with his sinful pornography, wretchedly wonderful.
Legal Guardian Mary Bonnett has a refined taste for dialogue, but the child/parent dynamic was too unbalanced to ignore. Joshua Zambrano as little Eddie had too much power. He shut down the stakes for his dad too early. I’m not sure what the parent had to lose with almost no limiting circumstance. The play’s flaw is in disguise as the character’s flaw as a teenage brat, but even brats get spanked sooner. Mr. Benton’s authoritative personality was irrationally patient toward his son; this bothered me beyond a mere projection of my own morals upon him.
There was no meandering, but certain segments were inescapably drawn out. The story had good action to keep things moving, but a few scenes could have been almost half as long as they needed to be: Ms. Edward’s interviews were the main sinners. Jamise Wright as Ruth summoned a mother’s woe-ridden thunderstorm to the stage, but the script’s pauses, stretches, and repetition dampened her energy. I experienced the creeping impetus and rising suspicion of the grieving parent, but the scenes need some sacrifice with the scalpel. With these issues addressed, the patient will be a devilishly handsome five star political piece.
The Doctor salutes The Dreamcatcher Foundation which provides support and specialization for the prevention of human trafficking. They provided an inspiring talkback after the show with a former prostitute who shared an intense journey of love, camaraderie, and hope found through the program. Good work, ladies.
