• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Event Calendar
    • Submit Event
  • About Us
    • Our Contributors
    • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Arts & Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • On Screen Dayton
    • On Screen Dayton Reviews
    • Road Trippin’
      • Cincinnati
      • Columbus
      • Indianapolis
    • Spectator Sports
    • Street-Level Art
    • Visual Arts
  • Dayton Dining
    • DMM’s Brunch Guide
    • Restaurants with Private Dining Rooms
    • Dayton Food Trucks
    • Quest
    • Ten Questions
  • Dayton Music
    • Music Calendar
  • On Stage Dayton
    • On Stage Dayton Reviews
  • Active Living
    • Canoeing/Kayaking
    • Cycling
    • Hiking/Backpacking
    • Runners
  • How to Support Dayton Businesses, Nonprofits During COVID-19

Dayton Most Metro

Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

‘Family Shots’ Review – Human Race Theatre Company – Matters of the Heart

January 26, 2015 By Russell Florence, Jr.

HRTC FAMILY Prod Photo 1

Pictured (left to right): Randy Brooks, Corbin Bleu and Colleen Zenk. Photo by Scott J. Kimmins.

Inside a suburban New Jersey hospital, the Baker family has come undone. Crisis brings them together, but what will keep them together? Playwright Michael Slade provides clues with wonderfully relatable authenticity and astute, unresolved ambiguity in his new original play “Family Shots,” an excellent, touching comic drama superbly presented in its world premiere at the Loft Theatre courtesy of the Human Race Theatre Company.

 
Recalling Nicky Silver’s comedy “The Lyons” coupled with the quiet sophisticated intimacy of Richard Greenberg (“Three Days of Rain”), “Family Shots,” deftly helmed by Race producing artistic director Kevin Moore, concerns the heart health of patriarch Sam (Randy Brooks), a plastics entrepreneur and frequent tennis player whose seemingly fit body has been driven to the breaking point due to Viagra. Sam’s fussy, self-absorbed wife Marsha (Colleen Zenk) and concerned, devoted son Aaron (Corbin Bleu) try to make sense of it all, but the unexpected quality time they now share and prize with Sam eventually opens old wounds.

 
Slade, in a refreshing departure from his dark, disturbing and polarizing dramas “Under a Red Moon” and “Gingerbread Children” previously presented by the Race, impressively turns his attention to more interesting, engaging themes of marriage and commitment. Sam and Marsha have been together 40 years. Aaron has only been married one year to retail salesman Malcolm Harrison (Adam Halpin). Creating two colorfully complex and contrasting relationships, particularly Aaron and Malcolm’s deteriorating journey involving the dangers of fiscal irresponsibility and casual flirting, gives Slade many avenues to explore that are ripe for compelling drama, especially since the action transpires in the uncomfortable confines of a hospital thereby fueling the need for venting emotions. It’s fascinating how Sam and Marsha have been rattled by too much love while Aaron and Malcolm, who believed they were ready for marriage, cope with the regret of not having loved enough. By and large, Aaron and Malcolm’s arc particularly contains some of the finest morsels of contemporary playwrighting you’ll find right now on a regional theater or NYC stage.

HRTC FAMILY Prod Photo 2

Pictured: Corbin Bleu and Colleen Zenk. Photo by Scott J. Kimmins.

Bleu, who starred as energetic sidekick Chad Danforth in Disney’s megahit “High School Musical,” brings striking confidence and genuine warmth to the conflicted Aaron, a talented photographer humble enough to accept unglamorous assignments as he awaits a breakthrough. When it is revealed that Aaron’s sexuality troubled Marsha years ago and continues to bother his homophobic sister-in-law, who apparently keeps his brother from visiting even during a family emergency, Bleu expressively connects with anger, hurt and dismay. Overall, without resorting to flashiness or melodrama, he delivers a terrifically sharp, effortlessly magnetic performance solidifying his mature evolution as one of the most skilled actors of his generation.

 
Zenk, a three-time Emmy nominee as villainous Barbara Ryan on “As the World Turns,” is a flustered, worrisome joy brilliantly conveying the nervous agitation derived from accepting and embracing the unknown. In addition to marvelously describing the peculiar noises that arise when living alone in silence, Zenk never fails to reiterate the love Marsha feels for Sam in spite of their disagreements. It is apparent Marsha’s fragile world would surely crumble if she didn’t have her husband, her favorite travel companion and close confidant, by her side.

 
The remarkably understated Brooks, a TV and film veteran, is an amiable, comical source of stability amid instability. He is well aware of how vital it is for Sam to be grounded as a mediator as commotion swells around him. Brooks is basically confined to a bed throughout, but his down-to-earth presence and plain spoken insightfulness appealingly resonates.

 

HRTC FAMILY Prod Photo 3

Pictured: Corbin Bleu and Randy Brooks. Photo by Scott J. Kimmins.

Featured players Halpin, Arash Mokhtar as Sam’s cardiologist Dr. Patel, and Annie Pesch as Sam’s nurse Joyce truly shine. Compatible with Bleu and very strong opposite Brooks, Halpin delicately uncovers the disappointment and frustration dwelling underneath Malcolm’s chipper, materialistic Bergdorf Goodman façade. Mokhtar brings a gentle aura of suave charisma to Patel, who is attracted to Aaron but remains entirely professional. One of the play’s singular moments involves Patel and Malcolm examining Aaron’s photographs from opposite ends of Sam’s room fully aware of how much they adore the artist and his art. Pesch, in an earnestly kindhearted role reminiscent of Vivian Bearing’s dutiful nurse Susie Monahan in “Wit,” greatly supports Brooks with encouraging verve and sensitivity.
This stellar production, the best Race offering thus far this season, is expertly accented by Scott J. Kimmins’ efficient, revolving scenic design incorporating three platforms and two large walls beautifully showcasing photos at the conclusion of every scene, costumer Janet G. Powell’s fashionably modern attire, John Rensel’s proficient lighting, Nathan D. Dean’s first-rate sound design, and Sean Michael Flowers’ satisfying incidental music.

 
“Sometimes you have to talk. Sometimes you have to listen.” Sam’s important advice serves as the universal foundation for any productive relationship, any productive family. In order to grow closer, in order to be more understanding and forgiving of each other’s faults and imperfections, relationships must value correct communication. The road ahead for the Bakers will not be easy, but as long as there is love there is hope.

“Family Shots” continues through Feb. 8 at the Loft Theatre of the Metropolitan Arts Center, 126 N. Main St., Dayton. Performances are Wednesdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m., Tuesdays at 7 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. The play is performed in 90 minutes without intermission. Tickets are $17.50-$45. Call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com or www.humanracetheatre.org.

Filed Under: On Stage Dayton, On Stage Dayton Reviews, The Featured Articles Tagged With: Family Shots, Human Race Theatre Company, Loft Theatre

About Russell Florence, Jr.

Russell Florence, Jr. is a member of The American Theatre Critics Association and The Drama League. In addition to his role as arts and culture editor of Dayton City Paper and theater critic for Dayton City Paper and Impact Weekly, he served as a Dayton Daily News freelance writer and editorial page contributor. He has also written features for such theater publications as Spotlight Ohio and The Sondheim Review. Over the past 25 years, he has seen over 1,000 shows locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally encompassing New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Toronto, Madrid, and Rome among other destinations.


Comments

Comments

Primary Sidebar

Featured Events

  • Thu
    21
  • Fri
    22
  • Sat
    23
  • Sun
    24
  • Mon
    25
  • Tue
    26
  • Wed
    27

2nd Annual Ice Breaker Fest

4:00 pm | Fifth Street Brewpub

Know Your Knots 101

6:00 pm | online

January Salon, Featuring Katie Clark Gabbard

6:00 pm | ZOOM

Jenna Drees Live Music in the Loft

7:00 pm | Moeller Brew Barn

JLD | 21-22 New Member Recruitment Event

7:00 pm | ZOOM

Bingo

8:00 pm | Trolley Stop

2nd Annual Ice Breaker Fest

4:00 pm | Fifth Street Brewpub

Tinned Gourmet Seafoods Tasting Event

5:00 pm | Salt Block Biscuit Company

Latin Dance Party

5:30 pm | The Salvation Army Kroc Center

Route 88

6:30 pm | Mr Boro’s Tavern

Clayton Anderson with Jacob William

7:00 pm | JD Legends Entertainment Complex

Music Bingo!

7:00 pm | Devil Wind Brewing

Derik Zoo

8:00 pm | Wiley’s Comedy Club

Cooking Class: Three Kings’ Day: A Puerto Rican Celebration

8:30 pm | DLM Culinary Center

RiverScape Virtual Winter Yoga

9:30 am |

Open Call for Models

2:00 pm | House of (DE-FI)ance: A Fashion & Design Co-working Experience

2nd Annual Ice Breaker Fest

4:00 pm | Fifth Street Brewpub

Ronald McDonald House Cooking Together

6:00 pm | your house

Dave’s & Confused

6:00 pm | The Phone Booth Lounge

DPAA presents Beethoven 8 and Florence Price

6:00 pm | Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center

Live Music With Generations Band

6:30 pm | Sojourners Brewstillery

Until Rust & Friends

6:30 pm | Courtyard Lounge

Derik Zoo

7:15 pm | Wiley’s Comedy Club

DPAA presents Beethoven 8 and Florence Price

8:30 pm | Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center

Winter Restaurant Week

| tba

Chili Fest

10:00 am | Findlay Market- Cincy

Rivers and Streams of the Miami Valley — and How Citizens can Make a Difference to Protect Them

2:30 pm | zoom

DLM Virtual Class! Sunday Supper Chicken & Dumplings

5:00 pm | ZOOM

Winter Restaurant Week

| tba

Young’s annual “Do Your Moo” Event

| Young’s Jersey Dairy

25% off Pizza Monday

11:30 am | Oregon Express

Charucterie Class

6:00 pm | AR Workshop

Open Mic Monday

6:30 pm | The Barrel

Winter Restaurant Week

| tba

Young’s annual “Do Your Moo” Event

| Young’s Jersey Dairy

Spaghetti Tuesday

5:00 pm | The Trolley Stop

Burger Night

5:00 pm | Watermark

Jazz with Gail and Larry

5:00 pm | Spirited Goat Coffee House

Skyline Chili Fundraiser

5:00 pm | Skyline Chili

Tuesday Trivia

7:00 pm | The Dublin Pub

Cinematic Conversations at Home

7:00 pm | online event

Winter Restaurant Week

| tba

Young’s annual “Do Your Moo” Event

| Young’s Jersey Dairy

Women 4 Technology: Meaningful Mentoring

11:30 am | Virtual Event

Beginning Cake Decorating

6:00 pm | online event

Trivia w/ DagaTrivia

6:00 pm | Eudora Brewing Company

Write It Like You Mean It

6:30 pm | ZOOM

Masthead Brewing Beer Tasting

6:30 pm | The Caroline

Wednesday Trivia

6:30 pm | Troll Pub at the Wheelhouse

Open Mic with Blues Breakdown Band

7:00 pm | Hank’s Local

Gem City Market Walking Warriors

7:00 pm | Gem City Market

Wednesday Night Trivia w/ Dan Profitt

7:00 pm | Oinkadoodlemoo & Brew

More Events…

DMM E-Newsletter


Give us your email address and we'll send you our DMM E-Newsletters
Email:  
For Email Marketing you can trust
Back to Top

Copyright © 2021 Dayton Most Metro · Terms & Conditions · Log in