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Scarcity is a play directed by Kappy Kilburn that details the hardships that Billy, played by
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| Jarrett Sleeper (l.), Bridget Shergalis, Kim Swenen. | Jarrett Sleeper, must endure while trying to escape his home life rife with abuse, lack of money, and parental neglect. Billy looks to his teacher Ms. Emma Roberts, played by Kim Swennen, for a way out of his depressed and down-trodden life that lay ahead of him.
Miriam Webster defines Scarcity as the want and provisions for the support of life. Personally, I felt that Rachel, played by Bridget Shergalis, is the best representation of endurance and the want for a fuller and better life. Stuck in a home life that is not able to offer the support of Rachel’s dreams and desires, she waits for the one golden opportunity that will take her far away from the flowing alcohol and cussing and provide her with a full support system filled with love and thirst quenching knowledge. A heavy weight of responsibility rests on Rachel’s delicate shoulders as she is asked to console her mother (Martha), fight off her constantly drunk and overly affectionate father (Herb), and cope with her brother’s (Billy) brooding and moody personality.
Martha, played by Rebecca Jordan, did not ignite a passion within me and I felt the most disconnection with her character. The only moment I wanted to sweep Martha into my arms and embrace her lovingly was when she was spotlighted cleaning up the kitchen after a violent verbal fight with her cousin (Louie), his wife (Gloria), and the defending of her husband and his inappropriate affections for his daughter. While trying to stretch the food stamps and trickling dollar bills, Martha is saddled with the emotional and financial support of her husband
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| Wendy Johnson (l.), Randy Irwin, Rebecca Jordan, Steve Walker. | Herb, played by Randy Irwin. Fist-fights, vulgar language, and veins filled with Jack Daniels and beer want to make Herb an unseemly and deplorable character. In my opinion, Herb contends to be the much needed comic relief in a very dismal situation.
I found myself cheering for the characters, squirming in my seat during particular scenes, and becoming offended and angered with the characters. I was filled with mixed emotions as I left the Imagined Life Theater. Encapsulated by hopelessness, at one time I have felt like Rachel and associated the most with her character. I was rooting for her character in the end that she would be rewarded for her patience and waiting. I reread the synopsis provided to me by the theater and verified that Scarcity was about Billy and his struggles to leave poverty in the hopes that he would become more than what the town had in store for him. Bridget Shergalis held my attention from the opening scene until the curtain call. She is a very talented and vivacious actress who I would love to see in future productions.
Scarcity is playing at The Imagined Life Theater from October 23 until November 22, 2009. Tickets range from $17 (students and seniors) to $20. Please visit www.needtheater.org to purchase tickets online or call (800)838-3006 to order tickets by phone.
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