All-American
By Julia Brownell
Directed by Scott Weinstein
At Redtwist Theatre, Chicago
Gender bending look at a father obsessed with making his daughter an NFL quarterback
Mike (Andrew J. Pond) is an ex-NFL quarterback who now obsesses with making his 17 year old daughter the first woman professional quarterback. Katie (Bryce Gangel), already a high school All-American, arrives at a private California prep school with a terrific football team. Mike increases his push on Katie while he ignores Aaron (Matt Edmonds), Katie’s twin brother. Beth (Kimberly Logan), the mother and wife to Mike is the woman struggling to have a career in real estate while juggling pleasing Mike’s obsession with making Katie as quarterback. She also ignores the whip-smart Aaron who has his own issues being the forgot son. The acting here was fine, especially from Matt Edmonds as Aaron. His sharp comments evoked bitter sarcasm wonderfully.
All-American is a witty, often funny, family drama about how one person’s inability to let go of his past glory turns into a delusional goal for his daughter. Mike’s denial that his football career is over threatens the stability of the family. When Beth sees hints that Katie wants to be a 17 year old girl more than a football pioneer, she ignores that in the interest of keeping Mike’s dream alive. Only Aaron knows what Katie really wants. As the story unfolds, we see how Aaron reacts and comments on all the family dynamics with complete and ofter perceptive candor. During the fast-paced direction by Scott Weinstein, we witness the awakening of each family member as ultimately the underlying love carries the family through their struggles.
All-American is a worthy show that plays Saturday afternoons, Sundays and Monday nights at 7:30pm. Redtwist Theatre has two fine shows running in repertory – The Beautiful Dark and All-American. Hey, on Saturdays or Sundays you can see one show, have dinner then see the other. They are both well worth seeing.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2013
Fro more info checkout the All-American page at theatreinchicago.com
At Redtwist theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr, Chicago, IL, call 773-728-7529, www.redtwist.org, tickets $20, Saturdays at 3pm, Sundays at 7:30 & Mondays at 7:30 pm, running time is 90 minutes without intermission, through September 9, 2013