Ego Death Theatre Collective successfully hits the mark with Days of Rage by Steven Levenson. A compelling script, following a group of young radicals who are willing to do anything to bring an end to the Vietnam War—even if it doesn’t actually align with the cause. Director Carol Kelleherndoes an excellent job playing into this specific period in American history while holding up a mirror to the present day. Days of Rage is heart-warming, devastating, and surprisingly funny.
A truly spectacular cast! The actors find the humanity and humor in what would seem like extremely misguided and unyielding characters. A group of young activists, who refer to themselves as a collective, band together through sex, shared privilege, and a disturbing definition of justice.
Spence, played by Matt Tenny, would self-proclaim himself as the collective’s leader. He is entitled, righteous, outspoken, and cynical. He makes rash and selfish decisions and yet is the first to criticize if someone else does the same. As unlikable as Spence sounds, Tenny’s performance is funny and earnest. He found numerous layers of humanity within a character that could be unredeemable. He has excellent chemistry with the whole cast, especially Jenny, played by Olivia Tennison.
Tennison’s portrayal of Jenny is phenomenal. She is the first face we see when the lights go up, and immediately envelops the audience in her grounded presence. Her connection to each character is specific and clear. You can’t help but root for the privileged Jenny. She is passionate and smart, and truly does have the best intentions, yet she continuously finds herself trapped in her reckless decisions. Unfortunately, her inability to let go of this false rebel mindset destroys her chance with the lovable Hal.
Hal is the heart of the show. Played by Dontaye Albert, Hal is endearing, witty, and clear-sighted. He is the only character not involved in the collective. He also happens to be the only character with a grasp on reality. Albert does an excellent job balancing optimism and sensibility. The other two characters, Quinn and Peggy, played by ensemble members Amanda Hoople and Aliza Broder, are an absolute joy to watch. These two are ferocious and hilarious. Two characters that think of themselves as complete opposites, quickly find similarities through their vulnerabilities and become one another’s match to a flame.
This 100-minute show flies by. Each scene ends in a way that makes you excited and nervous for how the next one is going to start. It successfully builds tension and danger throughout the show, which can largely be credited to the sound designer. Jason Pavlovich fuels the show with tension, energy, and rage, creating a strong tone and atmosphere.
Days of Rage by Ego Death Theatre Collective runs until November 16 at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N Lincoln Ave. Tickets are $27 and are available at greenhousetheater.org. This show is intended for mature audiences only. Ego Death Theatre Collective is an emerging theatrical ensemble in Chicago. Follow them @ego.death.theatre.collective on instagram or visit their website at egodeaththeatrecollective.org.
For more information on this and other productions, see theatreinchicago.com.
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