I absolutely adore going to see the mainstage productions the Division of Theater produces each year. The actors, though still students, perform at a professional level, the sets are mind-blowingly beautiful and it’s all for free! What’s not to like? But it’s one thing to see a revered play be put on by a renowned theater school, and it’s another to see the same group produce an entirely new play that was written by one of its own.
And that’s what happens with the Seabury Quinn Jr. Playwrights’ Festival every year for the past two decades.
All the graduate playwrights write an original piece as a final exam of sorts for a particular class. This year, two were chosen to be fully produced and the other seven are performed as readings.
The two fully produced plays are Rust On Bone by Bianca Sams and Poor Bob by Anthony Ellison. Rust On Bone analyzes the effects of war and society’s perception of mental illness by following a therapist who is trapped in her office and must use her wit and skills to get out. Poor Bob is a comedy about a family struggling to properly grieve the death of a family member who was also a pillar of the community.
The plays are very different. They’re different in the obvious sense that one is a comedy and the other is a drama, but they’re also different in the ways they function. Poor Bob pulls you in with its frequent punchlines, and Rust on Bone keeps your interest peaked with lasting moments of suspense. Each is great in its own right, but if you choose to see only one, I would suggest choosing Rust on Bone.
Rust on Bone manages to make every second count. I was enthralled in the storyline the entire time. It is simply good drama. And it helps when you have an outstanding cast elevating the words. Thomas Daniels captivated me as Jim Daniels, the antagonist of sorts. The arc of that character is captivating and Daniels is a master at his craft. Shambrion Treadwell is also masterful as a lead, former Post writer Sophie Mitchem’s performance as a tortured soul was chilling and extraordinarily delivered; and Jessica Savitz was great as the sometimes much-needed comedic relief.
Poor Bob was very good. It is told in a way that requires you to pay attention, because explanations are contained in several reveals throughout the show. It was a very interesting structure. However, there were some scenes that weren’t as interesting as others and some lulling moments — moments I didn’t feel when I saw Rust on Bone. Poor Bob’s cast was skilled, as I’ve found to be the norm in Division of Theater productions, but only one actor stood out: Emily Auwaerter as Sharna, the funeral home director. Her performance was zany, expressive and simply hilarious. She was my favorite to watch throughout the night.
So go check out the last week of the Playwrights’ Festival and see these shows for themselves! Just because they aren’t mainstage doesn’t mean they aren’t well-written or amazingly produced.
If You Go
What/When: Poor Bob by Anthony Ellison runs 8 p.m. Wednesday and Friday; Rust on Bone by Bianca Sams runs 8 p.m. Thursday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday
Where: Kantner Hall
Admission: Free for OU students; $5 for non-students
Meryl Gottlieb is a sophomore studying journalism and a staff writer for The Post. Are you a theater geek too? Bond with Meryl at mg986611@ohiou.edu.
