Written by: Sarah Gubbins. Directed by: Jake Fruend. At: Berger Park Cultural Center, 6205 N. Sheridan Rd. Tickets: NothingWithoutACompany.org: $20. Runs through: April 15
Nothing Without a Company presents Sarah Gubbins' play The Kid Thingthe first time it has presented a known work over a new one. It's easy to see why Gubbins' play about two lesbian couples debating parenthood is a strong character piece and an extremely well-written production. Presented in the company's intimate space, the audience is literally in the living room as the characters spar with one another.
Darcy ( Shalyn Welch ) and Leigh ( Samantha Michelle Nava ) are a couple who get broadsided by the announcement by friends Nate ( Anna Rose II-Epstein ) and Margo ( Taylor Raye ) that they are expecting a baby. This brings up the subject of having a babyor "the kid thing"between Darcy and Leigh. Things get more complicated when we add the donor father Jacob ( Gabriel Fries ), who is under consideration as a donor for Leigh as well. The drama touches on the relationships of these couples, infidelity, parenting roles and ultimately identity. Hopefully, the discussion at the end of the play about kids being teased at school about LGBT parents will become dated some day.
This play lives and dies with the casting of Darcy, the lesbian who "dresses like Cary Grant," has a very strong personality and whose issues really drive the action of the story. Shalyn Welch is perfectly cast and up to the task; she is infuriating and strong but conflicted. Nava's Leigh is the perfect amount of sunshine and want; her scene with Jacob is very funny, and she really brings it to life.
As far as the rest of the cast, Raye's Margo is mature and emotional. Eptein's Nate is an enthusiastic "skater punk" but I do wish she would slow down her climactic scene a bit to wring more emotion out of it. Fries' Jacob is lovable and funny, but we cringe at the awkward situation that includes him.
Overall, this theater company with a small space and an even smaller budget really delivers. Fruend's direction keeps things moving, even with the limitations.