BWW Reviews: DNA is a Jet-Black Comedic Exploration of Consequence

'What's more important, one person or everyone?' That is the question at the center of Dennis Kelly's darkly comedic and chilling play, DNA.

The play starts immediately following an accident. A group of schoolmates were amusing themselves by bullying one of their own, because his reactions to the bullying were "funny". When the joke goes disastrously wrong, they carefully orchestrate a cover-up that sets in motion a series of chilling events with unforeseen consequences. When an innocent man is accidentally blamed; their lives begin to unravel and a shocking twist will make you wonder how things could possibly have gone this far awry. They may all be guilty, but they have no intention of taking the blame... after all, they have their futures to consider. Kelly's smart and funny shocker of a play is an examination of the consequences of group dynamics. You may find yourself reminded of the cruelty of groups in another piece of British fiction, "Lord of the Flies".

Dennis Kelly is a writer for stage and television; most recently, the controversial BBC conspiracy thriller UTOPIA. Like UTOPIA, DNA cleverly piles on the twists, as guilt and madness work their poison on the group. Kelly's sharp, reflective writing gets inside the characters' heads. This is jet-black comedy that lays bare the way that self-interest, peer pressure and an inability to really connect and empathize with others leads to a creeping corruption, as the kids become more and more determined to get away with murder.

There are no weak links in this large cast of talented young performers. Everyone is spot-on, but a few get a real chance to shine: Julia Bauer is charming, moving and desperately funny as the needy Lea; her constant babbling disguising a yearning need to be loved. Most of her scenes end up as monologues opposite the stoic, methodical 'man with the plan' Phil, played by Nate Dunaway. Dunaway's take on the character is riveting. His eyes are especially expressive in the final moments of the play. Nate Jackson is absolutely chilling as Boy. He manages to walk a very fine line in a scene that could very easily have gone over the top. Also delivering memorable performances were Lindsey Markham as Rachel and Taylor Hurley as Cathy.

Director Molly Karrasch has done a fine job with this piece. I was especially impressed with her staging in the larger group scenes where she kept the intentions clear and the characters centered. I look forward to seeing more work from her.

The tech for this production was also top notch: from Mark Pickell's striking abstract forest, to Patrick Anthony's beautiful noir like lighting design, right down to Kelli Bland's spot on costuming.

If you like theater that you'll be talking and thinking about for days to come, then you owe it to yourself to check out the sharp, darkly funny DNA.

DNA by Dennis Kelly
Running Time: One Hour and Eighteen Minutes with no intermission.

DNA, produced by Capital T Theatre at The Off Center (2211 Hidalgo Street, Austin, TX)
January 22nd-February 1st, 2015
Thursdays - Sundays 8:00 p.m.
Preferred VIP Tickets $30 (premium seating and complimentary drink)
Online Reservations $20 (preferred seating)
Pay what you can afford between $15-$30 (general admission - pay what you can only available at the door if tickets are available).
Reserve by Phone: 537-CAPT or http://capitalt.org/wp/tickets

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