Review: DETROIT brings tension among neighbors at Lakeside Community Theatre

DETROIT

A dramatic comedy by Lisa D’Amour

Directed by Elizabeth Kirkland

Produced by Lakeside Community Theatre, The Colony 

Ever wonder what happened to backyard cookouts and getting to know your neighbors? If so, you will probably applaud Ben (Beau Dameron) and Mary (Charlotte Dameron) as they fire up the grill and invite their new neighbors Kenny (David Kolis) and Sharon (Peyton Jolley) over for dinner under their Patio Depot umbrella. Making new friends is always a good idea, right? Well…

The Damerons are a solid middle class family who find themselves on slippery terrain. Ben has recently been laid off from his job in banking and is counting on his severance package and unemployment to keep afloat until he can launch his own business. Beau Dameron layers Ben with complexity. Mary (Charlotte Dameron) is a paralegal who runs the gamut from snooty and judgmental to wild and crazy. The string that holds her beads together is taut with fear of losing their middle class status.

Kenny (David Kolis) and Sharon (Peyton Jolley) have come to the neighborhood straight out of substance abuse rehab. They have hit bottom and appear to be clawing their way up. Jolley takes Sharon from profanity to the voice of reason and back. Kolis makes a solid debut stage appearance. His Kenny is full of charm and convincingly on the path to recovery until he isn’t. Paul Niles rounds out the cast as Frank, a small but pivotal character we meet in Act 2. 

Author Lisa D’Amour gives us characters and situations we can’t ignore. Director Elizabeth Kirkland finds the humor we need to balance the tension. Lakeside Community Theatre is a true black box theater which allows them to reconfigure stage and audience seating as needed. LCT has a special gift for maximizing their small venue. All of the action takes place in the abutting backyards of the two couples, and Mike Straub’s set design delineates the spaces. Pay attention to design details that come to life in Act 2. Prop Designer Jillian N. Baker aced her choices on the demanding prop list. Among her props are a working grill, which generates delicious smells all around. Take time to eat before you head to the theater. Sound Designer Matt Reynolds gave us a soundtrack of great music that heightened the experience. 

Other designers and crew included: Halle Dillard, Assistant Director; Nat Coe, Stage Manager & Hair/Makeup Designer; Marianne Lassonde, Asst. Stage Manager and Understudy; Keegan Arnold, Lighting Designer; Jenny Havens, Costume Designer; Elliot Koch, Light & Sound Board Operator; and Jason Surmiller, Running Crew. 

Detroit continues through July 1st at Lakeside Community Theatre. All performances are Friday or Saturday at 8 pm. Tickets are available through www.LCTTheColony.com which is linked to LCT’s Facebook page, or by calling the box office at 469-209-5130.  Go with a group and plan to go for drinks after. You will want to talk about this experience.

Audience Rating: PG-13, Adult Situations, Drug References, Strong Language

Running Time: 2 hours 15 minutes including 15 minute intermission

Accessible Seating: Available

Hearing Devices: Not Available

Sensory Friendly Performance: Not Available

American Sign Language Performance: Not Available

Production Sound Level: Comfortable Sound Level

Noises or Visuals to Prepare for: Pulsating lights, loud music, alarms

Experience Live Theater!

Glynda Welch