Kimmie Harvey (top) and Abbie Fricke are teenagers trying to discover who they are in ‘two of us on the run’ at (Photos by Morgan Sophia Photography)
By Oline Cogdill
The fears, frustrations and universal questions of who we are—all of which are magnified when you’re 16 years old, on the cusp of being an adult—swirl in the provocative but uneven world premiere of two of us on the run, presented by Theatre Lab, the professional resident company of Florida Atlantic University.
The drama fulfills Theatre Lab’s ongoing mission of producing new works that help develop merging playwrights with the goal that these plays will find productions at other theatres across the country. Deborah Zoe Laufer is among the playwrights whose work grew from Theatre Lab’s incubator is being produced around the country.
two of us on the run had a week of development and its first public readings during Theatre Lab’s 2023 Festival of New Plays. The play also was a semi-finalist for the O’Neill National Playwrights Conference and was long-listed for the Theatre 503 International Playwriting Award.
In two of us on the run, Scottish playwright Steve McMahon shows a flair for how teenagers talk and think as he covers the gamut of feminism, friendship, sex, trying to make a difference, pop culture, role models (do Thelma and Louise count?), do good movies about running away exist, and should you take your favorite teddy bear when leaving home.
The two who are on the run are J (Kimmie Harvey) and C (Abbie Fricke), lonely teenagers who despise their small town and who seemingly are each other’s only friend. They want out of that town, to be on their own, away from the high school’s mean girls. But they really have no idea how to escape their town or how to survive on their own. That starts with being clueless about what to pack. Should they take makeup? Does a feminist wear makeup? Yes and yes. How about a jacket? Yes. And that teddy bear? Why not. Does one really bring two overpacked suitcases when trying to disappear.
J—eventually revealed to be Jennifer—and C—Cat or Catherine—start off wearing their school girl uniforms before switching to jeans. They pepper their talk with curse words—a LOT of curse words. C curses out her mother and then worries her mom might have actually heard her. They think about throwing away their phones, but their bus tickets are on their cells. Many of their references are from pop culture, including movies they may not have seen through the end.
J and C talk about becoming bank robbers, holding up a liquor store, perhaps shooting a bartender who makes too many advances. The two girls bicker and banter across the country, wondering if anyone misses them back home. Their use of initials instead of names is a metaphor for them trying to erase their previous identities and create new personas.
McMahon has his characters tackle myriad hard-edged ideas, often making J and C and the audience uncomfortable. The script is intriguing and often poignant. But, as with any new work, “two of us on the run” needs some sharpening. Clocking in at a little over 80 minutes, the drama still needs trimming as the script occasionally is repetitious, detracting from the story’s heart. The script’s repetitions cause the audience to occasionally lose patience with the teenagers. Yes, teens do often curse but their emotions and wants can get lost with so much emphasis on these bombs.
Still, Theatre Lab’s production of “two of us on the run” is elevated by the fine direction of Margaret M. Ledford, winner of several Silver Palm Awards, an eight-time Carbonell nominee and City Theatre’s Artistic Director since 2017. Ledford smoothly keeps the rather talky play moving, with the characters never stagnant. Ledford sees the play beneath the script, delving into the heart of the story.
Theatre Lab’s production also benefits from the solid performances of Harvey and Fricke. These young actresses, both of whom have several regional roles to their credit, nail the many moods of teenagers. Both show their mettle as an ensemble and individually. Ledford allows their story arcs to develop from when we first meet them. Fricke is the more flighty teen, constantly asking questions, nervously chatting, until eventually becoming more of young woman. Harvey is the more serious teen, knowing which book to “steal” from the library, so wanting to be seen and accepted. Likewise, her story arc is credible.
Actor Jordon Armstrong has a brief role as Brian, the bartender who should know better. Armstrong has appeared in many area productions also builds sets for several local theatre companies.
Scenic designer Aubrey Kestell makes the most of her minimalistic set with a few chairs, unvarnished crates with multi-uses, opened suitcases. Adding to the set are the screen shots of the many old and new advertisements representing pop culture and teen beauty, expertly archived by video designer Robert Goodrich and video programmer Steven Covey. Kudos to costume designer Linda Shorrock, lighting designer Eric Nelson, sound designer Matt Corey and properties designer Jameelah Bailey.
Despite its flaws, “two of us on the run” affords the opportunity to see the work of a burgeoning new playwright at the start of his career.
Since it began in 2015, Theatre Lab has mounted 12 world premiere productions and is concentrating on all new work for its current season. Theatre Lab continues this focus with its Owl New Play Festival April 5-20 on the Boca Raton campus. The festival will include three new works all running concurrently during the final two weeks (April 11-20) with additional readings of new plays. Visit www.fau.edu/theatrelab/owlnewplayfestival for more information.
two of us on the run from Theatre Lab runs through Feb. 16. Performances 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sundays. Running time approximately 80 minutes. In Parliament Hall, 777 Glades Road, Florida Atlantic University campus, Boca Raton. Tickets $35-$45. Tickets (561) 297-6124 or visit www.fauevents.com or https://www.fau.edu/artsandletters/theatrelab
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