Review: HUMOROUS, SHOCKING, AND ENTERTAINING EMOTIONAL CREATURE THE SECRET LIFE OF GIRLS AROUND THE WORLD OPENS AT SPINNING TREE THEATRE

Abandon your inhibitions, taboos, and what you think you know about being a young girl in today's contemporary society, when you enter EMOTIONAL CREATURE THE SECRET LIFE OF GIRLS AROUND THE WORLD. Directed by Chioma Anyanwu, in her directorial debut, and Andrew Grayman-Parkhurst, Spinning Tree Theatre presents its enlightening production of Eve Ensler's critical look into the thoughts and emotions of young women everywhere.

The heartbreaking insight of Tony Award winner Eve Ensler's EMOTIONAL CREATURE takes the audience through the gambit of human emotion. The first scenes give the impression of a light-hearted musical, yet insightful play, but then it turns the corner and the audience quickly descends into a dark abyss which dwells on the tragedy's that face youth across the globe. Peer pressure, appearance, teenage pregnancy, physical emotional and mental abuse, and promiscuity, among other topics, all paint a grim picture of a girl's life that is difficult to comprehend and often overlooked.

Spinning Tree Theatre has done a magnificent job of producing this powerful and poignant dramatic work. There is no scenery and no props, which at first seems odd, but works extremely well. Props would only be distracting and take away from the emotion the play is trying to express. The choreography and songs are compelling and aid in developing the complex storylines.

Spinning Tree Theatre has done an exceptional job in casting EMOTIONAL

CREATURE. Starring Ai Vy Bui, Madeline Campbell, Allison Jones, Deanna Madra, Mikala Sullivan, and Emily Vargo the cast gives a performance of bonding that is felt throughout the audience. Jones, Campbell, Bui, and Madra give strong performances from beginning to end. Mikala Sullivan is magnificent, delivering a performance that reaches down and grabs your heart as she brings her multiple characters to life. Emily Vargo is a spectacular stand out, portraying a young girl who has given up hope and has chosen to stop her pain.

If EMOTIONAL CREATURE THE SECRET LIFE OF GIRLS AROUND THE WORLD does not evoke an emotional response, then you should probably be a cement statue at the back of the theater. The work is very well crafted and should give a critical look into the thoughts and actions of girls to parents, family, and educators everywhere. Though this play will not appeal to everyone it should be seen by everyone.

EMOTIONAL CREATURE plays at the Just Off Broadway Theatre through February 3. Tickets may be purchased by calling 816-235-6222 or online at tickets.cto.umkc.edu/search/Spinning%20Tree%20Theatre. Tickets for Spinning Tree Theatre's production of BILLY ELLIOT are on sale now.

To post a comment, you must register and login.