Review: FROM THE MOUTHS OF MONSTERS Makes Powerful Premiere at the Kennedy Center

Inspired by (but not literally adapted from) Mary Shelley's 200-year-old novel Frankenstein, Idris Goodwin's FROM THE MOUTHS OF MONSTERS makes a powerful world premiere at the Kennedy Center's Family Theater. A two-actor play starring Shannon Dorsey and Tia Shearer in energetic, flexible roles, it sports a cool, contemporary aesthetic and impeccable sound design (Christopher Baine) - important for a play that's all about a teenager's discovery of the weight of words.

Shy high-schooler Michelle (Dorsey) struggles with being the "quiet girl", unable to express a hidden universe of intense feelings and ideas within. She's a poet but, grieving the loss of her mother, too consumed by anxiety to convey her thoughts to an audience. Popular girls in her class don't have this issue, nor does the locally-famous poet Prometheus (a nod to the original text, played by Shearer). Spurred on by her desperation for a voice, Michelle strikes a deal with therapist Victoria Franklin (a version of Victor Frankenstein, also played by Shearer). Dr. Franklin performs an operation to physically remove doubt from Michelle's mind.

As with other supernatural experiments throughout literary history, a monster is created: in this case, Michelle's power-drunk alter-ego, MONSTERSHELLY. This alter-ego relentlessly pursues Michelle's goal of beating Prometheus at a slam poetry competition. As she hurtles towards victory, uninhibited by fear, it becomes clear that words aren't to be wielded lightly. When deployed with bitterness and hubris to destroy enemies, instead of with thoughtfulness to truly express oneself, words can incite violence - for instance, a riot composed of dead spirits.

Goodwin, a poet and rapper himself, uses catchy rhymes, realistic dialogue, and political overtones in the text of what is likely one of the most relevant takes on Frankenstein in existence. It asks a lot of its actors, particularly Shearer, who seamlessly transforms from Dr. Franklin to Prometheus to Michelle's friend Penelope and all of Michelle's family members, including a dead-on impression of a video-gaming little brother. A testament to Shearer's talent, each character she portrays has a distinct identity, conveyed almost entirely through voice and body language, with the aid of a few props (Jacy Barber). Dorsey, too, believably distinguishes the real Michelle from MONSTERSHELLY. Sound effects give the alter-ego's voice an over-the-top movie-villain quality which is delightfully ominous but sometimes comes off as silly.

Refreshingly analog in its presentation, MONSTERS relies on words, not heavy special effects, to express elements of horror in the narrative, as Dorsey and Shearer often describe and act out what's happening as it happens. Even the complex sound design feels organic, because it seems to emanate from the many vintage audio devices onstage, among them a phonograph and a reel-to-reel. Voices in Michelle's head, voices of the poetry slam "audience", and staticky transitions between scenes make up a manic atmosphere. The dingy, industrial set (Luciana Stecconi) seems subterranean. It's less a physical location than a manifestation of the interior of Michelle's mind. The costume design (Deb Sivigny), consisting of casual streetwear, makes it look as though the characters walked straight into the performance space, not characters at all but real individuals.

Though the plot is unclear at times, it's a common side effect of tales that take place mostly in the mind. By the end, it's obvious that much of what has occurred is on a separate plane from physical reality. Despite this murkiness, the timely subject matter and creative point of view make FROM THE MOUTHS OF MONSTERS one of the most effective supernatural coming-of-age stories out there. It should provoke thoughtful discussion for young adults and "old" adults alike, sending a few tingles up the spine as it does.

Running time: approximately 65 minutes.

FROM THE MOUTHS OF MONSTERS runs through March 12, 2017, at the Family Theater at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here, at the box office, or by calling (800) 444-1324.

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