There is nothing more human than falling into any of the seven sins that at the same time, consume, revolt and seduces people. Lust, greed, wrath, gluttony, pride, sloth and envy have nurtured and destroyed people for centuries. Though we know better, some of us are unable to control ourselves when faced with the choice. Seven playwrights take on the challenge in explaining, or possibly conquering, one of the human flaws in 7 Deadly Sins.
Ken Brisbois takes a comical approach in Envy making a skittish soldier (Adam Sauter) shoot both of his lovers (Natalie Rose and Lara Hughes) charged with treason and murder. Rose and Hughes use their feminine charm to convince soldier boy to not go through with it. Another couple, not experiencing the same dire consequence is Harvey and Mia (Roy Vongtama and Maya Parish) in Pride written by Julian Pozzi.
Mia is a New Age woman who relies on astrology and other paranormal gimmicks to dictate her life. She and Harvey are set to move into to their new home the next day. The night before the two, probably for the first time, become immersed in a serious conversation about their lives with each other and learn some surprising things. This outcome determines whether they will have a future together or apart.
Actress Tracey Tresvant plays the epitome of a gold digger in Fylicia King’s sin of choice Greed. Tresvant dates two guys simultaneously. One is older with money, power and respect and the either is poor, creative and lots of fun. Of course, one doesn’t know about the other. They both have qualities she’s looking for simply in different packages. She wants the glamorous life with the older gentleman but craves the spontaneity the younger guy can provide her. Until she makes up her mind, she continues to date both filling an endless need to be loved and taken care of.
Sunny Fuller’s Gluttony pits one ambitious sister against another, with high levels of sexual hormones, leaving both of them tangled in a situation they can’t break free. Tony Frietas covers all the basics in Lust. Two lesbians meet after placing a personal ad online, an uptight guy finally relaxes with a sexually experienced woman and a nice guy pleasuring his woman from the back is verbally stuck because he can’t say the word ‘bitch’. In Wrath, writer Lilla Zuckerman makes every bride’s nightmare come true when a seemingly meek woman traps a patronizing and snobby bride at a bachelorette party. Laziness is never more deadly or amusing when two friends spend a day at a beach in Kelley Girod’s Sloth ending in tragedy when Mimi (Julia Sinclair) ignores her sister’s plea for help.
The writers have their own unique perspective on what a sin truly means. Pozzi’s Pride is more of an in-depth look at a relationship. Both characters are too proud too admit their secret fears, which are somewhat ridiculous since they invested in a house. King’s perception of Greed serves a cautionary tale on choosing what you need versus what is good for you. Tresvant character is sympathetic making it for the audience impossible to hate her. Like many women, she wants a stable and comfortable life after sacrificing so much for her family and others until she bled dry.
The writers captured the true essence behind the meaning of their chosen sins. All the actors did a spectacular job portraying the writer’s vision. It won’t stop the rest of us from committing sins but it does however, give an eye opening look on why we continue to do so.
7 Deadly Sins plays at Complex Theatre, 6476 Santa Monica Blvd, Hollywood; Fri - Sun at 7:30 until Sun Oct 8. For reservations, call (323) 769-7030 or visit www.plays411.com
