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Rust Belt Theater Company’s ‘Conversations’ is comedic gold
By Lorraine Wardle
Youngstown
Ever wonder how the other half lives? What the 1 percent talks about? “Conversations,” the latest production at The Rust Belt Theater Company, may give you an idea.
“Conversations,” written by local writer, artist, and businessman Roger Jones, pokes fun at high society. The Rust Belt produced one of Jones’ plays last year with great success. As the only theater in the area that produces 100 percent locally written plays, it was eager to showcase another. This production is directed by Robert Dennick Joki and proves to be comedic gold.
“Conversations” is simply that: a series of conversations, usually between two characters. The characters are all snooty, upper-class types talking about things we commoners wouldn’t understand.
The play begins with a strange exchange between two people regarding their loss of limbs. From there, the topics range from romance to friendship to party planning. Which all seem to be normal, typical subject matter, but are presented in an absurdist way that makes them both sardonic and hilarious.
The intimate performance space gives the play a voyeuristic feeling, as if we are spying on some real people engaged in a private conversation. The bizarre dialogue, however, reminds us that this theater-of the-absurd at its finest.
The entire cast obviously embraced the upper-class absurdity that their characters represent. Each one delivered multiple humorous characters with spot-on delivery.
Kage Coven and Jo Ellen Jacob began the evening with perfect deadpan delivery and great timing. Each sketch that followed lived up to their performance.
Coven is a natural on stage with perfect comedic timing and facial expressions that made him an audience favorite. Jacob perfected an uptight upper-class voice and demeanor, creating characters that were over-the-top, yet believable.
Brittiani Ketcham’s characters had a regal, detached air as she floated about the performance space. David Cirelli gave a more natural performance as some rather put-upon characters.
Celena Pollock Coven was realistically snide and snobbish, while Hunter Thomas was smooth and superior. Beth Farrow was particularly convincing as a self-important debutante, even while pondering her “longterm view of insignificance.” Thomas also provided the most perfect portrayal of a rock anyone’s ever seen.
The performance space of the Rust Belt Theater provides the perfect setting for the play, and director Joki utilizes every inch. He also infused the show with instrumental, symphonic versions of pop songs that work perfectly with the script.
“Conversations” continues Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Rust Belt Theater Company in the Calvin Center, 755 Mahoning Ave. in Youngstown. For reservations, call or text 330-507-2358.