There’s something about a women crying her eyes out because she’s been through hell and back that really resonates with me. There’s something about a priest contorting the mind of an innocent human being because they can’t get off their heavenly high horse that I’ve seen far too often. And there’s definitely something that hits hard when you watch the ones you love die in front of you.
Kind of heavy, isn’t it? That’s exactly what “The Prophet Darla” touches on in this play. I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure to expect. I heard this was a dark comedy before I even looked at the program they hand you when you walk in the theater, and needless to say, that category is very accurate. The first thing I noticed about this play was that it takes place in the Laboratory Theater, which I personally think has a lot to do with the ambiance of the play. You feel like you’re literally in the living room of Darla (Ashley Meyer) and her cousin Angie (Lauren Mangum) and boyfriend Skip (Casey Pierce). It definitely makes the viewing more intimate.
At first I was confused at the beginning of the play. I’m not going to lie, I honestly thought, ‘What have I gotten myself into?’ at the beginning of the first act. The play seemed to be very drawn out and boring. But, as the play builds it becomes action-packed in more ways than one. I was very impressed with the actors. First off, there are only six actors in this play and all of them (except for Darla) play multiple characters. It was fun to see them act out of their character because it gave the audience the opportunity to see how talented they really were.
Speaking of talent, Ashley Meyer, who plays Darla, did an amazing job. I wanted to feel every emotion she was portraying onstage. She was very charismatic when things were good and a weeping willow when things were bad. I couldn’t get enough of her character. I found her relatable in certain scenarios and wanted to help her in others I could never imagine going through.
This play is about Darla becoming a prophet, kudos to God, and it has a lot of biblical references throughout. It was funny, but at the same time a lot of things that were said in the play hit close to home. I come from a religious background and needless to say some of my practices like going to church or volunteering have gone a little to the wayside. The events in the play made me question how I would be different if God randomly gave me the same powers as Darla. Would I be selfless? Would I help others? Or would I screw it up?
Even some viewers do not have a religious background I believe they will still enjoy the play. There is plenty of comic relief and drama to hold the attention of any viewer with any kind of background. One complaint I had about the play is that it felt really long. It could have been because I went on a Monday night, but other than that it was very entertaining and insightful.
The play runs now through Sunday in the Laboratory Theatre, located at 2812 18th St. between Boston and Flint Avenues. Curtain times for the 2013 – 2014 Laboratory Theatre season are 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sundays.
Tickets for “The Prophet Darla” are $10 for individuals and $5 for students with a valid student ID. A limited number of free student rush tickets are available on a first-come first-served basis. For more information, call the Maedgen Theatre box office at (806) 742-3603.
Cast:
Director – Chelsea Prettyman
Scenic Design – Joshua Whitt
Costume Design – Maria Albutra
Lighting and Sound Design – Becca Venable
Dramaturg – Evangeline Jimenez
Fight Director – Tiza Garland
Choreographer – Leslie Gomez
Darla – Ashley Meyer
Gladhand – Randall Rapstine
Skip – Casey Pierce
Angie – Lauren Mangum
Ruth – Amanda Espinoza
Stephen – Gabriel Vanover
Production Staff:
Stage Manager – Leni Morales
Master Electrician – Jennifer McKown
Sound Board – Natascha Muizers
Lighting Running Crew – Joseph Shellbach and Matt Russo
Scenery Crew – Emily Sitton, Amy Tisdale, and Sierra Burt
Costume Running Crew – Franchesca Breig, Jordan Brown, Jordan Hammack, Sidne Smith, and Jesus Solis III
Program Design – Troy Battle
Poster Design – Nicholas D. Irion
House Supervisor – Ashley Meyer
Assistant House Supervisors – DeRon Williams, Karen Wurl, and Clay Martin
House Manger – Lauren Mangum, and Maria Alburta
Ushers – Victoria Lawson, Joshua Barrett, Jesus Ramirez, Nicholas Hernandez, and Isiah Columbus
About Lauren Estlinbaum
