Photo: Stan Barouh
For a show that's only 90 or so minutes without an intermission, Olney Theatre Center's Miss You Like Hell covers a lot of territory, racing through so many hot button issues, it's a fast socio-psychological study in what ails the nation and what ails you (but not me).
Illegal immigration, discrimination, suicide, mental health, sexism, family matters (including, but not limited to mother-daughter relationships), are all here. What have I overlooked?
A lot to grasp in one show, but all is not totally droll since it's got humor.
Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes's main characters are a mother, Beatriz (Karmine Alers) who convinces her estranged 16-year-old daughter, Olivia (Valeria Morales) to go with her on a coast-to-coast journey and try and iron out some of their interpersonal difficulties and "find themselves."
While Beatrix, an illegal immigrant, suffers the silent anxiety of being discovered by ICE, Olivia endures suicidal tendencies. What better time to work it all out? Which they attempt with the help of convincing characters they meet on the road, who befriend them and provide sustenance to help overcome life's "evils," and find everybody. They become family of more than blood lines.
Dialogue between mother and daughter is ageless, the same (with some variation) likely to be found on parchment in the Middle Ages (sans the X-rated words. What were X-rated words in the Middle Ages? But that's another script!)
Two of the most delightful new friends are a gay couple, Mo (Bradley Mott) and Higgins (Lawrence Redmond) whose humorous lines and duet "My Bell's Been Rung" contrast with dour first impressions.
Later, Pearl (Kayla Gross) is another stranger-now-friend whose strong and beautiful voice threatens to overtake the stars' and Yellowstone National Park.
Director Lisa Portes places nonspeaking cast members in scattered positions on a mostly shadowy stage until they start to emerge like butterflies, slowly gathering energy to float and soar, sing and dance. (The harmonies are magnificent.) They use chairs as props, and sometimes they sit or stand on elevated levels which sounds hokey, but once I figured out what was happening, the effect was all right.
While Matt Rowe's automotive and road sounds hum in the background, unobtrusive landscapes are projected up as moving backdrop (by Thomas Ontiveros). (Videos are so ubiquitous in theatre nowadays, it's an unusual production which doesn't have them. I guess the performing artists must try any and all additions to keep the audience, and especially younger members, in check. Try the Symphony, for another.)
Walter “Bobby” McCoy directs the onstage seven-member orchestra which provides excellent accompaniment (per standard Olney fare).
Other cast members are Jyline Carranza, Carlos L. Encinias
Jay Frisby, Olivia Ashley Reed (also dance captain), Kara-Tameika Watkins, and Michael Wood.
The creative team also include Milagros Ponce de Leon, scenics; Ivania Stack, costumes; Pablo Santiago, lighting; Richard Lundy, production stage manager; Josiane M. Jones, director of production; Christopher Youstra, associate artistic director and director of music theatre; Breon Arzell, choreography.
Congratulations to Ms. Morales, a freshman at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, making her Olney debut!
What: Miss You Like Hell with music and lyrics by Erin McKeown
Where: Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney, MD 20832.
When: Through March 1, 2020, Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m.; matinees on Saturday, Sunday and one Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 2 p.m. An audio-described performance for the blind and visually impaired on Wednesday, Feb.12, at 8 p.m. and a sign-interpreted performance Thursday, Feb. 20, at 8 p.m. (Contact Julia Via at jvia@olneytheatre.org to confirm.)
Tickets: Begin at $42 with discounts for groups, seniors, military, and students
Ages: Olney rates this as "PG-13" but I rate it "R." Olney recommends a parent attend with children aged 13 and older; no parent necessary for those aged 16 and more.
Language: X
"Afterwords": Matinee post-show discussions on all Saturdays in February.
Free tickets with pre-registration for Erin McKeown's concert at the Olney Feb. 15 at 5 p.m. She wrote the music and lyrics for Miss You Like Hell.
Refreshments: Available and may be taken to seats
Parking: Free, lighted and plentiful on-site
For more information: 301-924-3400 for the box office or 301-924-4485
patricialesli@gmail.com
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