Bare, depressing walls to look at…
One strip of brick wall to sit on. ..
No other futures to look forward to...
This is all the people of Miami Valley, Ohio have as we enter in their lives. In 2016, Ohio became the state with the highest opioid-related deaths in the nation. In OXY, OHIO, we’re taken on the downward spiral with these people during this crisis.
Side Project Tackles Drug Addiction
In OXY, OHIO, written by Ohio native S.J. Spencer, we start with a bleak outlook. Entering the small theatre space, we’re met with gray and beige walls; nothing to much to look at as we focus on our characters delivering their stories.
Each character - a mother, daughter, doctor, and friend - describes their life and the sequence of events that happen through monologues and show what drives people to addiction. With the odds stacked against them in the beginning, OXY unravels and delves into the personal histories and outside factors during this time, like inadequate insurance, unemployment, and a rising drug market, that drive people to addiction.
This is not a happy tale by any means. We’re talking, we start the show at base negative one and it keeps going down from there. Though the script is lifted a tad by moments of dry, biting humor, the show does not let up for a second as the situation becomes darker and darker.
Actors Shoulder the Heavy Weight
For our actors, this material was not an easy undertaking and we can feel how deeply they dug to create meaningful portrayals of what these people had to face. In this writer’s view, the acting is spot-on and we believe they are the hard-working, blue collar workers of this Midwest town.
When Amy Johnson as the night-shift working mother, Mary, delivers her first monologue we’re level set as to how these people got to where they are. And throughout the rest of the show, we feel her pain as she has worked in the nursing home, on her feet all day, for most of her life.
The monologue heavy format of OXY might not be to everyone’s taste as there is not much other action to draw our attention. But if words are your cup of tea, OXY, OHIO is a good fit for you. It’s also a good choice for someone who is ready for an impactful drama and can handle an emotionally heavy show. It might not be the best fit for those who might be triggered by drug use or domestic and sexual violence or looking for a lighter night out at the theatre.
She’s just trying to provide for her daughter, Becky, played by Tracey Green, who also delivers a shaking and raw performance. Accompanying this mother and daughter are Tom and Dr. Wilmington, played by Benjamin T. Jenkins and Fred Wellisch respectively. They too engage us in their character’s stories and we hang on to their every word.
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Note: This is now added to the Picture this Post round up of BEST PLAYS IN CHICAGO, where it will remain until the end of the run. Click here to read — Top Picks for Theater in Chicago NOW – Chicago Plays PICTURE THIS POST Loves.
CAST:
Tracey Green
Benjamin T. Jenkins
Amy Johnson
Fred Wellisch
CREATIVE
Adam Webster
S.J. Spencer
Sean Smyth
Brian Ruby
Blake Cordell
Cristina McCrystal
Sean McStravick
Danielle Myerscough
When:
Now through October 14, 2018
Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30pm
Sundays at 2:00pm
Where:
1439 W. Jarvis
Chicago, IL 60626
Tickets
$15-$20
Tickets can be purchased online at the Side Project Theatre Company website
Photos
Sarah Larson Photography
Note: Picture This Post reviews are excerpted by Theatre in Chicago
About the Author
Alexis is a theater reviewer, travel bug, media specialist, and burger & beer enthusiast. During the day she works in the advertising business as a senior communications designer. When night falls, or when she can escape to New York, she’s hitting the theaters to see as many shows as she can. And whenever she’s not at her desk or in the audience, she’s out seeking the best burger and beer offerings in Chicago.
Editor's Note: Click here to read more Picture this Post articles by Alexis Bugajski
