A play focused on cheerleading? Are they kidding? That's exactly what San Diegan Annie Weisman's Be Aggressive does. But oh so much more! New Village Arts Theatre's latest production under Kristianne Kurner's deft directorial touch is a challenge to the mind as well as a feast for the eyes.
Yes, there are quite a bit of cheer routines by Caitlin Kunkle, Rachel Robinson and Alyssa Schindler and occasionally including Rachael VanWormer and Amanda Morrow (Laura and Leslie). We begin to realize the joy of the cheer and the immense amount of practice it requires. We quickly learn that some of the girls have burdens much more difficult than their cheer formations.
Laura is grappling with her mother's death. Mom was jogging when she was hit and
killed, with the driver leaving the scene. She is suddenly thrust into a serious world of responsibility. At 17 she has to manage a home and guide her 11-year-old sister, Hannah (Amanda Sitton). Her father, Phil (Daren Scott), has problems of his own as a consultant in a controversial highway project.
Leslie's problems include a father who has deserted the family and an overwrought single mom, Judy (Dana Case). Leslie finds it extremely easy to manipulate her mother.
The two decide to be the best cheerleaders in San Diego. Laura takes the family Lexus, a Mobil credit card, and money for the tuition for "Spirit Institute of the South" a two-week intensive cheerleaders' school. The road trip reveals the complexities of teen life. We adults often forget the often harsh realities of being a teen. We have forgotten the immense social pressures, the academic constraints, the physical and hormonal changes, and so much more. They are approaching and attempting to prepare for adulthood.
VanWormer and Morrow have absolutely captured the complexities of their characters. During their travel to North Carolina, we discover so much about these girls, their thinking patterns, their hopes and aspirations, and their fears. One memorable speech is when Laura painfully talks about her dead mother.
Back home, there are the fears of two parents who band together. Phil and Judy become united in their concern for their daughters. Also, once opposing each other
concerning the highway project, Judy becomes allied with Phil. Case and Scott handle
the rather abrupt transition quite naturally.
Playwright Weisman manages to satirize the "California" life-style, our alleged shallowness, our smoothie shops, sun-dried tomatoes and even breast implants. She has captured contemporary teen slang. There is also fun with cheer...a lot of fun.
Director Kurner not only has assemble an excellent cast, she has brought together many in the New Village Arts ensemble. Joshua Everett Johnson's sound design provides a perfect musical accompaniment. Tim Wallace's unique scenic design offers a variety of locations, which makes scene changes seamless and fast. Justin Hall's lighting complements each location and, also, gives the cheer sections a showy look. Amanda Sitton's costumes include cheerwear with flair as well as totally natural looks for the other actors.
