Defiance - review

[Jane Zussman]

Once again we are treated to Ixion’s annual smorgasbord of short-plays-on-a-theme — Defiance. This year’s collection also marked the directorial debut of Jordan Taylor (local actor well remembered as Lola in Kinky Boots, Belize in Angels in America and more.)

Jordan and his Ixion board/producers committee reviewed 200 10-minute-ish scripts, submitted from far and wide; no local playwrights this season. (Next year’s theme is “Help” to be directed by Connor Kelly. Scripts accepted though 8/1/26.)

Each script offered a fresh take on the idea of defiance, as characters confronted a variety of authority figures with a variety of resistance and rebellion. 

George Sapio’s The Kiss offered a feminist take on the iconic sailor-kisses-the-nurse photo from the end of World War II. Hank Kimmel's The College Interview devolved into a who’s-nterviewing-whom situation. Rishi Chowdhary’s Breaking Bread brought us to a colosseum situation. 

Ken Preuss’s Every Seven Minutes gave a funny, surreal take on a supernatural system for distributing loss and tragedy. Don Grimme’s The inquisition turns the tables on the powerful inquisitor. John Allison’s Old, Bored, Troubled, Dead presented a philosophical standoff between grandmother and granddaughter. Holly Hepp- Gavin’s Seeds offered hope for growth despite defiance.

Jordan gathered a cast of old and new-comers: Milichelle Deleon, Ellison Hall, Janell Hall, Kayla Henry, Sam Johnson, Holly Kay-Cannon, Quinn Kelly, Hanna Kent, Tim Lewis, Heath Sartorius and Patti Spinner. Holly and Heath added extra determination to their scenes. Sam Johnson and Ellison Hall brought a natural, believable quality to their scenes. Tim Lewis offered toughness as the guard and hope as the gardener. 

It all adds up to a mostly positive spin on defying the rules. Director Jordan wishes the audience to leave “feeling defiant and walking in your truth. Focus on the win — for the world, but all for yourself.”

Defiance continues May 30,31, June 5, 6 & 7 . Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm and Sundays at 3pm. @ Stage One at Sycamore Creek Church, 2200 Lake Lansing Road, Lansing, MI
Tickets can be purchased online via this link or at the door.

 https://www.onthestage.tickets/.../69b5c10df6fdf6391046025d

Jane Zussman

G.L.U.T. List

(Greater Lansing Ubiquitous Theatre)

cell 517-930-0932

JSZu...@gmail.com

http://www.greaterlansingtheatre.net 

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