You’ll want to catch the Oakland’s ‘Bug’

By STEPHANIE OTTEY

YOUNGSTOWN — There’s a “Bug” going around the Oakland Center for the Arts, but you’ll want to catch this one.

With a gallery of artwork by Hartford native Gail Trunick and a chic new lobby, The Oakland introduces “Bug” by Tracy Letts.

Under the direction of Robert Dennick Joki, this psysho-thriller suits The Oakland stage perfectly.

“Bug” tells the story of Agnes, a woman living and hiding in a motel to avoid her villainous ex-husband.

Through a friend, she is introduced to Peter, an Army veteran in search of friendship and a place to stay. The two immediately click, and Peter becomes a staple in her room.

Unfortunately, for Agnes, Peter brings a mysterious bug infestation with him.

The first bite triggers a panic in Peter that grows into a contagious paranoia, and soon both characters are submerged in the ideas of a government conspiracy theory. By the end of the play, the audience doesn’t know what to believe.

The intimate theater transforms into a cluttered motel room by the design of Joki and the help of numerous hands.

Joki’s design is so intricately detailed, from the bubbling wallpaper to the stereotypically nondescript bed coverings, that as soon as the lights come up, the stage is set (literally) for creepy things to come.

Act 1 starts slowly but gives the audience the opportunity to get to know the characters.

The shock of on-stage nudity and some witty one-liners keep things interesting enough to get to Act 2, where the story picks up and runs wild.

In the second half, we are introduced to one of the most impressive highlights of the show: the makeup design by Kerri Rickard.

Rickard creates an illusion of open sores that is so effective that even the most avid “CSI” fans will cringe.

The lighting design of Fran Comstock is equally impressive. The dim and appropriately ugly lights match the set and theme well. With all of this comes an impressive cast.

The heart of the show lies in Terri Labedz.

Labedz is immediately impressive as she bravely answers “nature’s call” with the door open in the first five minutes of the show and continues to do so with her creation of a vulnerable, scared and very real Agnes.

Her subtle command of the stage creates moments of humor and tragedy as she flirts with Peter and later reveals the secret of her lost child.

Labedz is absolutely dynamic in the role – her performance alone is reason to see it.

Labedz’s counterpart, Ron Aulet, is a fantastic match as Peter.

Aulet makes a remarkable debut on The Oakland stage with a very challenging role in his hands.

He begins as a seemingly simple and tame character and grows into a wild, convulsing, panic-stricken mad-man as events progress. Aulet’s transformation is alarming in the best way possible. Hopefully there is much more to come.

Rounding out the cast are Lisa Skerkavich as R.C., Jim Canacci as Dr. Sweet and Ric Panning as Jerry.

Panning makes the audience hate Jerry as soon as he steps on stage. His embodiment of the “bad-guy” is immediate and believably executed.

Though there are aspects of the show that may make some audience members uncomfortable (i.e. nudity and cursing), there is more than enough to appreciate in the production.

Though you might leave the theater scratching yourself, it’s definitely worth the itch.

XRemaining shows are 8 pm. Friday and Saturday and March 2, 6, 7, 8 and 2 p.m. March 1. Tickets can be reserved by calling (330) 746-0404.