(Front) Caitlin Zoz, Carolyn Cutillo, Claire Saunders, Déa Julien, (Back) Karla Gallegos, Shannon Keegan, Emily Murphy, Rachel Caplan, Olivia Hoffman in TheaterWorks’ production of The Wolves. Photo by Lanny Nagler.
by Mark G. Auerbach with Benjamin Jacek
Theaterworks has opened its new season with a stunning new play, The Wolves, by a new playwright with incredible potential, Sarah DeLappe. Artistic Associate Eric Ort makes his Theaterworks directing debut with The Wolves, and he’s choreographed a cast of ten in a cinematic, always moving production that turns The Wolves into an enthralling and exciting ninety minutes of theatre that’s part comedy, part drama, and part suspense. His cast is superlative, a group of actors that, like a solid sports team, move in unison and unite for the game, while showing their distinctive characters individually. The Wolves, the story of a high school girl’s indoor soccer team, plays out on an innovative playing field set design by Mariana Sanchez. If there’s such a thing as the final game of a World Cup in theatre, this is it.
Since I’ve been out of high school a long time, I went to The Wolves in the company of Benjamin Jacek, a high school senior and competitive athlete who could give me a fresh take on what I was seeing. Ben said of The Wolves, “Yes it is a realistic portrayal of high school athletes. It shows the struggle of academics, sports, and life during high school while playing a sport. I really liked how the play included the pressure of being scouted for college teams, and facing challenges in school while still playing the sport.”
Karla Gallegos, Rachel Caplan, Emily Murphy and Olivia Hoffman in TheaterWorks’ production of The Wolves. Photo by Lanny Nagler.
The Wolves was originally produced Off-Broadway last year, and a new production opens at Lincoln Center next month. A finalist for the 2017 Pulitzer Prize, and a Drama Desk winner, the play will also be produced at several regional theatres nationwide this season. Playwright Sarah DeLappe is currently playwright-in-residence at Lincoln Center.
DeLappe has written a team character study, where as a group, the team moves towards victory, but individually, in their pre-game warm-ups, we see a group of young women jockey for position, assert their power, display their insecurities, behave with extraordinary depth and conviction, and turn on a dime into vulnerable young women, or mean girls. Ort has chosen to keep the cast constantly in motion, either jogging, doing calisthetics, or other exercises, assisted by soccer consultant Lexi Menard. DeLappe’s writing is bold and brash, laced with dialogue that’s chock full of teen slang and f-bombs.
The ensemble is terrific. Kudos to Rachel Caplan, Carolyn Cutillo, Olivia Hoffman, Dea Julien, Shannon Keegan, Karla Gallegos, Emily Murphy, Claire Saunders, Caitlin Zoz, and Megan Byrne for great individual performances, solid ensemble acting, and the energy of ballet dancers to move effortlessly nonstop for the length of the play. I personally found Megan Byrne’s soccer mom and Olivia Hoffman’s tough girl who turns vulnerable stand-outs.
Olivia Hoffman, Rachel Caplan, Déa Julien, Karla Gallegos,Shannon Keegan, Emily Murphy, Claire Saunders, and Caitlin Zoz in TheaterWorks’ production of The Wolves. Photo by Lanny Nagler.
Rob Denton’s lighting design brings out the best of Mariana Sanchez’s unique playing field set, one of the most interesting designs I’ve seen in years. The set intrigued Ben as well. “I really liked how the set had the field that went up on to the incline and the used that incline for part of the play”.
Blair Gulledge’s costumes, Karin Graybash’s sound, and Leah J. Loukas’ wigs are first class.
Ben liked The Theaterworks experience, since his previous two outings were to larger theatres. “I think that being close to the stage made it more fun because you were able to feel like you were right on stage with the actors and in the play. I also think that it enables you to believe the story more, because you can see every little move they make on stage.”
Overall, Ben and I agreed that The Wolves is superb theatre. Ben said “I would recommend the play 100% to my friends. It was very interesting and realistic so it was very entertaining to watch”.
As for me, I want to see more plays by Sarah DeLappe, a bright new voice in the theatre, and more plays helmed by Eric Ort. Theaterworks is off to a great season start. The Wolves runs through November 5, after which Christmas On The Rocks, the zany holiday show returns.
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TheaterWorks presents The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe. Directed by Eric Ort. Scenic design by Mariana Sanchez. Costume design by Blair Gulledge. Lighting design by Rob Denton. Sound design by Karin Graybash. Wig design by Leah J. Loukas. Soccer advisor: Lexi Menard. Cast: Rachel Caplan, Carolyn Cutillo, Olivia Hoffman, Dea Julien, Shannon Keegan, Karla Gallegos, Emily Murphy, Claire Saunders, Caitlin Zoz, and Megan Byrne Through November 5. TheaterWorks, 233 Pearl Street, Hartford, CT. For tickets: 860-527-7838 or www.theaterworkshartford.org
Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He’s worked for arts organizations and reported on theatre for newspapers and radio. Mark produces and hosts ArtsBeat Radio on 89.5fm/WSKB Radio.
Benjamin Jacek is a senior at Minnechaug Regional High School, and is a lifeguard at the Georgetown Condominiums Pool. This is the third play that he has helped review for The Westfield News Group.
