By Rikki Lee Travolta
The world of Chicago theatre is in many ways an incredible living breathing organism with many facets. There are the powerhouse theatres that do big-budget musicals with Broadway talent, there are perennial award-winning institutions focused on bringing the classics to life in traditional form or dizzying new interpretations, and there are also companies that celebrate the cultivation and creation of new works. It can’t become a classic if it isn’t first introduced to the theatre world.
Babes With Blades Theatre Company opens the 2024 season with just such a new work: “The S Paradox”. This twisting time-travel conspiracy thriller will have audiences on the edge of their seats with dramatic action, clever plot devices, and the company’s trademark brilliant stage combat.
The new script from Jillian Leff is the winner of the Joining Sword & Pen International Playwright Competition and the associated Margaret W. Martin Award. Developed internally by Babes With Blades over the period of a year, the premiere production comes to dramatic life under the direction of Morgan Manasa with stunning fight direction by Samantha Kaufman.
The story takes place in the distant future. Many of our country’s current problems seem to have been addressed – there is free healthcare for all, tax and economic bills have virtually eliminated the division between classes and pulled millions out of poverty, and firearms have been banned to ensure the safety of all.
As idyllic as this sounds, not all problems have been solved. And, in fact, others have emerged. No matter how many changes we institute, the world will always be imperfect – but that is not a reason to stop trying.
Sloan is a young woman who has dedicated her life to pursuing a career in law enforcement. Through a twist in fate, she is recruited for a secret watchdog intelligence agency known as the CRC. Sloan is ecstatic – she will be serving her country and will be rewarded financially far beyond what normal citizens are even allowed to earn.
The future for Sloan and her partner Ava seems golden. However, a mysterious visitor from the future warns Sloan that not all is what it seems.
The acting in “The S Paradox” is truly top-notch. Not only do the performers capture their roles expertly individually, but several characters also feature past and present versions appearing on stage – requiring different actors to maintain the same characteristics in their interpretations of the same characters. All should be applauded for their execution of this challenge.
In the lead role of Sloan, Kayla Marie Klammer presents a powerful performance. She shows considerable strength as an actor and in her prowess for realistic hand-to-hand and sword combat. Maureen Yasko is equally incredible as S – the mysterious warrior from the future whose connection to Sloan becomes clear as the story unfolds.
At its heart, “The S Paradox” is a good versus evil tale. Every such story requires a devious villain. For this futuristic story that warns of the underhanded nature of the greed of the privileged, the villain is played by Steve Peebles in a truly exceptional performance. Like all good villains, he doesn’t make his intentions or true nature known until later in the story.
Elisabeth Del Toro and Sonja Lynn Mata do a wonderful job joining forces to present the key character of Dez at two different points in time. Del Toro introduces the character as a slightly wacky, openly flirtatious beam of light. Mata picks up seamlessly with the same quirkiness but in an older, more open-eyed version of the same person.
Cat Evans makes their presence known as Sloan’s significant other. The three-time Jeff Award nominee makes a distinct impact as a saucy, no-nonsense woman who balances her affections with her sense of self-preservation.
Working as the mortar that keeps all the bricks in place, there is a very talented ensemble filling multiple roles. These players include Tina-Kim Nguyen, Deanna Palmer, Jessica Pennachio, and Thomas Russell. Each of the ensembles also understudies lead roles. Other understudies include Luz Espinoza and Emily Sturges.
Among the ensemble, Russell demonstrates a real flair for stage combat. Although they don’t have many lines, Russell shows a glowing charisma and stage presence as an actor. Russell is a young talent to watch out for.
Combat is, of course, the calling card of Babes With Blades Theatre Company. Fight choreographer Kaufman shows a phenomenal ability to stage fight sequences with swords and knives – and the players pull it off masterfully.
In the intimate space of The Factory Theater some of the hand-to-hand combat is spot-on perfect; other times achieving the right angles seems a little bit of a challenge – but not to the degree that it affects the enjoyability factor of the play or the impact of the fights.
Part of introducing a new work such as “The S Paradox” is sitting back and seeing what works and what could be adjusted to make it even better in future adaptations. The story is exciting and intriguing, with very interesting characters. Overall, the script works well, although like any new work there are some plot points that could be revisited and adjusted. It is a very good script with the potential to be great.
Scenic design is by Rose Johnson, lighting design is by Laura J. Wiley, and sound design is by L.J. Luthringer. Props designer Evy Burch and costume designer Rachel M. Sypniewski in particular do a stand-out job. Technical director is Line Bower, production manager is Rose Hamill, stage manager is Taylor Stageberg, assistant stage manager is Theo Yaeck, and production assistant is Payton Shearn.
“The S Paradox” is scheduled to run through May 18 with a performance schedule of Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 3 PM. It is a mind-blowing delight that blends time travel, good versus evil, and thrilling fights.
The production will be available for streaming audiences on Saturday, May 11 at 8 PM; Sunday, May 12 at 3 PM; and Thursday, May 16 and Friday, May 17 at 8 PM. Open Caption performances are Saturday, May 4 at 8 PM; Sunday, May 5 at 3 PM; and Thursday, May 9 and Friday, May 10 at 8 PM. There is a sensory-friendly performance on Sunday, April 28 at 3 PM.
Performances take place at The Factory Theater located at 1623 W. Howard Street in Chicago. Tickets for live and streaming performances are available at www.BabesWithBlades.org.
Babes With Blades Theatre Company is one of less than 15% of Chicago theatre companies dedicated to representing marginalized voices through storytelling. The fact that they use stage combat to do it makes them singularly unique. It is a company to support.
Photo credit: Joe Mazza/Brave Lux
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