Two houses on Sunshine Way in Detroit, Michigan, holding two strikingly contrasting couples: This is a snapshot of playwright Lisa D’Amour’s Detroit, presented by the Rollins Players April 6 through April 9. Directed by Kathleen Capdesuñer (Rollins ’17), the darkly comedic show features classic suburban couple Mary and Ben, who befriend the substance-abusing couple Sharon and Kenny next door.

As it turns out, Mary and Ben have issues of their own that run much deeper than they seem. The pairs effect and mirror each other in profound ways, and this was wonderfully portrayed by the cast and crew of Detroit in their April 6 performance, which I had the opportunity to attend on behalf of Odyssey.

Kathleeen Capdesuñer
PC: Sarah Clark

Performed in Rollins’s black box theatre, the Fred Stone, the stage setup of this performance makes all the difference. The focal point of the story is a table in the middle of the compact theatre, the floor-stage surrounded on all sides by audience members. This closeness enables viewers to not only experience the detail put into the actors’ performances but also to feel immersed in the plot, like you are right there in the couples’ backyards. The single space serves as both backyards, the contrast cleverly made only by changing out the tables (scenic design by Cyrus Bonyadi ’18).

The whole of the play takes place outside in the two backyards, and playwright Lisa D’Amour says that this was probably her subconscious way of showing the characters’ desires to be free. In an unconventional way, they find some of this freedom through each other, and the use of a joint “outside” space for both couples was an awesome way to represent this. Additionally, near the end of the play, let’s just say that a set that is easily taken apart definitely comes in handy—no spoilers!

Cyrus Bonyadi
PC: Sarah Clark

As someone who has experience with theatre, I can tell you that Detroit is probably very challenging to act, but the cast makes it seem effortless. Depicting humor and gritty struggles, the ensemble cast was able to intrigue viewers while also making them laugh. From the beginning, I noticed Chloe Brewer’s portrayal of Mary; she makes use of bright facial expressions, even when showing Mary’s agitated and sarcastic side. Her skillful comedic timing and clear voice come together to form the perfect picture of the suburban wife who uses basil and pretends everything is fine.

As the play goes on, Mary’s outer image begins to crumble around her, and Brewer very realistically portrays this as well. Alongside her is Duncan Hon as Ben, Mary’s unhappy husband who uses the Internet as an escape. Hon serves as comic relief quite a few times, my personal favorite being his British accent one-liner near the end of the play (see Detroit so that you know what I mean!). I have to say, it is astounding the number of uncomfortable situations Ben is able to struggle through without combusting, and Hon does an excellent job at showing that. Hon and Brewer together certainly succeed at the task of portraying a highly troubled married couple while in reality being college students.

Cast with playwright Lisa D'Amour

Kenny and Sharon, Mary and Ben’s next-door opposites, are depicted no less effectively. Ana Suarez uses infectious smiles and bodily animation to show the audience Sharon’s free-spirit nature. Suarez does a spectacular job of giving Sharon an element of wonder; playwright D’Amour compares Sharon to a “guru”, and I certainly agree. The dreamlike nature of Suarez’s performance even gives Sharon a youthful quality, reminiscent of the late Brittany Murphy’s lovable character “Tai” in Clueless.

When Detroit begins to reveal details about Sharon and Kenny’s drug abuse, Suarez handles this as Sharon in a serious yet ethereal way, as though none of her life has been real. In Sharon’s illusion alongside her is her partner, Kenny, played by Matthew Striegel. Striegel succeeds at the challenging task of portraying Kenny’s complicated life, and also makes bold comedic choices which were a hit with the audience. In a conversation with Ben, Kenny gives the delightfully quirky line, “Do you have a rubber mallet?” Later, in a line that sums up the characters of the play, Kenny shouts: “It’s a handbag, and we’re all going to hell in it!” Add to these characters a brief but significant role by Malakai Green at the closing of the play, and we've got a fabulous cast.

Malakai Green
PC: Sarah Clark

Thanks to director Capdesuñer, the movements of the characters around their stage space played a large part in the production, especially since viewers are so close to the performance. All of them, especially Sharon, are seen crossing from back porch to back porch or monologuing around the outdoor table throughout the play. This gave the show an overall feeling of liveliness that sustained all the way to the end. Additionally, the use of lighting features heavily, bringing to life a main plot point at the peak of the story (lighting design by Kaitlyn Harrington ‘18).

Kaitlyn Harrington
PC: Sarah Clark

The most difficult thing to do in a review of Detroit is to capture the unexpected moments without giving too much away. The events closer to the end of the play, especially blended with the cast’s vibrant choices, had multiple audience members gasping in surprise. The cast and the technical details bring all of this to life in an impressive and intimate production. As Capdesuñer puts it in her director’s note, the play is “beautifully visceral”. That is, Detroit strives to depict realistic, though difficult, situations that many American couples face, such as economic troubles and substance abuse.

Although the play surrounds two middle-aged couples, identity crises and the other struggles featured in Detroit are ones that college students can relate to as well. Like Mary says in a line to Sharon: “This is real. This is not a dream.” The Rollins Players do an outstanding job at entertainingly presenting these themes, and I highly recommend that everyone goes this weekend to see what Detroit is all about.

(Left to right) Duncan Hon, Chloe Brewer, Malakai Green, Matthew Striegel, Ana Suarez
PC: Sarah Clark