what: asskicking amazons by bob fisher & cast
where: the chicago mammals' zoo studio in north center
accompainiment: dustin, emily, megan!
drinkability: byob!
show length: just over 2 hours with a 15 minute intermission
out of four: three and a half/four
the chicago mammals are best known for their takes on horror, twisted plot lines, all-female powerhouse casts and pushing the envelope with the audience's level of comfort when it comes to sexuality and violence. asskicking amazon's promo photos mostly feature a KISS makeup wielding liz chase (tomkat), actors in pig masks, and an unfortunate senator (aj miller as harry pitts) wrapped in duct tape and gagged- giving you the sense that you're walking into a wild show wherein you yourself might end up kidnapped and publicly humiliated- but alas you may end up a bit of an emotional wreck and begging for more and more from each character's complicated storyline.
the show centers around the mystery group asskicking amazons (a la pussy riot) wherein members remain anonymous, anyone can join, and they stand up for women's rights and causes that they believe in. AKA is chock-full of characters (eleven fill the bill to be exact) and range from band members, band-wannabees, and political figures affected by their movements and shenanigans. we watch the ladies prepare to try to save an abortion clinic from closing its doors forever. from preparation to execution we watch the full range of possibilities and consequences for standing up for a belief that isn't exactly shared with the people around you.
while spearheaded by artistic director bob fisher, the writing process for asskicking amazons was collaborative- leaving a unique experience of the actors fully getting to own what they get to share with us. the highlight of this process above and beyond was anne wilson, who played the struggling transgendered character of alex. not only did her storyline present a discussion of a struggle that isn't brought to life enough, but she also had the unique chance to display her musical talents onstage as well. anne's emotions and vocal talents shined for me and by golly if i didn't have to wipe a few tears away in her closing monologue, expressing the want and desire to feel like a father.
other highlights included company member erin orr's character of libby- orr once again displaying an incredible and seemingly unreachable state and range of emotions, coming off of her incredibly successful run of clerval in the mammals' fall show of ALL GIRL FRANKENSTEIN. her relationship with her husband j.d. (played by justin warren) was incredibly believable and passionate- and your heart broke for them on multiple occasions. i was left wanting to hear and see more of their story- which was essentially a negative result of squeezing in so many storylines into a 2 hour production.
liz chase also shines as the mysterious tomkat- a member of asskicking amazons who displays full KISS makeup and towers through demonstrations in football gear and platform shoes. she's got the tough exterior down- a literal shield from her coping with her reality of isolated lonliness outside of the asskicking amazons. i believe tomkat is a perfect representation of the marketing for the show: pushing the extreme when they should be nurturing the emotional ride and connection you get to experience with the cast.
i can't wrap up my thoughts without mentioning the extensive video work that accompanied the stage action. even though the play is set 12 years in the future we witness a montage of videos feeling very much ripped from the late eighties and early nineties. they're jerky, fun, and a little crude. sasha warren plays manx - a character we never get to see on stage due to her being on the run. her lack of stage time shouldn't be shunned at though- she shines in the videos as the action gets underway.
ASSKICKING AMAZONS closes saturday march 22nd. tickets are $25 with discount tickets offered through goldstar. don't miss this show, chicago!
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upcoming march shows:
friday march 14th, 8pm: the right brain project's salome
friday march 21st, 10:30pm: redtwist theatre's 44 ways to end your sex life
sunday march 30th, 7pm: duplicity ensembles' folk bound
join me, will you?