First-time Fringe producer and director Caity Shea Violette takes a stab at triple-threat by writing this quirky and thoroughly strange show about a suburban teen’s struggle to face tragedy and find some reason in it. The story revolves around “Emma”, who struggles with her horror of getting older, taking on responsibility and facing the future. She endures a sex talk from a chipper and well-meaning Mom, the irritation of a classmate’s enduring crush and too much homework before getting a taste of life beyond high school. The show means well, and vaguely recalls the unapologetic vapidity of “Clueless” or “Legally Blonde”, but the easy comedy you might find in this genre falls just short of the line in Poppies.
Starring Shannon Foy as leading lady “Emma”, Brandon Reese as her best friend “Barbie” and Charlotte Calvert as her long-suffering Mom, the play is energetic and jam-packed with funky backup dancers. Cast and production team are all students or alum of St. Paul Conservatory, and the project is a valiant effort for these young artists. While it doesn’t always make its point, hats off to Ms. Violette for choosing a specific style to attack, and congrats to the cast for their energy and whimsy.
Side note to the playwright: It’s not so bad to get older; wait and see. You can still have great fun and artistic success when you’re old, and you can still be pretty cool. Theatre critics are mostly old. So are lots of actors and playwrights. I’m old. And just think about Graydon Royce: he’s like a theatrical Dumbledore, or something. I bet he would be much cooler than your Mom about the sex talk.
Mimi
