Laughing out loud! Something new at Ion? Not new, but certainly unusual. Ion Theater ttends toward more serious plays, so the choice of U.S. Drag is somewhat of a departure. Granted, there's an underlying touch of drama; Ed, a killer prowling the streets of New York, is the subject of conversation, but this really is the story of Allison (Karson St. John) and Angela (Laura Bozanich).
The two ladies are less than affluent, sponging off the kindness of Ned (David Kelso), their landlord, who is both ruthless and totally socially inept. The ladies dress somewhere between young chic and streetwalker. They are in search of happiness, but settle for rent money. They are also in search of Ed, a killer lurking in the streets of the city, for the reward.
They join a group called S.A.F.E. (Stay Away From Ed). Evan (Nick Louie) is the leader of the group, which includes a band of eccentrics. James (Colin Simon) is obsessed with crime in a quite strange way. Another member of the group is poor Mary (Kelly Lapczynski), herself a victim of Ed. One feels that she has always had the victim mentality even before her encounter.
Melissa Coleman Reed, playing multiple roles, is a delight in each with absolutely no crossing of one character with another. We become intimately knowledgeable with Christopher (Sven Salumaa), who becomes a bit involved with one of the ladies.
St. John's Allison and Bozanich's Angela are a study in complementary and contrasting personalities. Allison changes on a whim, with more twists and turns in moods than a two-lane mountain road. Bozanich, no slouch in quirkiness, does allow Angela to balance her. One feels these two have known each other a whole lifetime. U.S. Drag, while definitely Allison and Angela's story, takes a delightful look at complex relationships between a disparate group of folks. Director Claudio Raygoza creates a very special environment for his players. His sound and lighting design enhance a multiple-location play with an uncountable number of scenes. The set consists of a suggestive New York City skyline and basically neutral design, allowing for the many locations. The sound design, music and effects are often a coda to a scene.
Unique are the two platforms on each side that bring in the set pieces for each scene. Sometimes just one or two, and rarely three or four. It must have been a busy time offstage prepping for the next scene. Since no credit is given, I must assume that the director is responsible for some wild choreography.
A quirky play about quirky people (well, 'tis New York, whatcha 'spect?), U.S. Drag offers 90 minutes of laughs with an occasional moment of introspection. I hope you have as much fun and I did.
Karson St. John (left) and Laura Bozanich
