Arresting Shoplifters Along the Miracle Mile

Plainclothes – Broken Nose Theatre

 

Based on his own experiences as an undercover security guard for one of Chicago’s major retail department stores, playwright and co-director Spenser Davis has recreated the humor, tension and drama he found while working as a plainclothes cop. Inspired by last season’s success experienced with their production of “At the Table,” a play that sprang from a collaborative development process used in New York City between a writer/director and his ensemble of actors, Davis decided to give this method a try in Chicago. 

Excellently co-directed with Kanome Jones, this production is filled with grit and guts. It fairly leaps off the stage from the tiny closet-turned-camera-room set, designed by Evan Frank. There’s no escaping the 11 strong personalities, along their own mini dramas, that ultimately build into one major conflict. After we meet the colorful individuals who work in the security staff at the upscale Brady’s Department Store, an unexpected bloody encounter with a shoplifter sends one of their staff to the hospital, with a stab wound. The remaining team finds themselves either fired or under corporate investigation. The suspicions and accusations fly and the plainclothes guards must decide whether to bow to the will of the corporate bigwigs or act upon what they individually and collectively feel is right.

The cast is made up of some of Chicago’s finest actors. They form an ensemble, much in the vein of the original Steppenwolf Theatre. In fact, this play sometimes resembles “Balm in Gilead,” the play that put Steppenwolf on the map, in the way that multiple personalities and storylines circle about, finally meeting in the center. It’s then that the power and the full importance of the clan mentality of these diverse individuals fully comes into view. 

Carmen Molina, whose talent has been enjoyed in “A Wrinkle in Time,” at Lifeline, and “Design for Living,” by Pride Films & Plays, makes her auspicious debut with this company, as Karina. While studying for a career in medicine, Karina carries her own private baggage, as she mans the desk surveying the multiscreen monitor that focuses on various locations around the store. Natural and so likable, it’s hopeful that Ms. Molina will be seen a lot more around Chicago theatre. The electrifying Stephanie Shum, who’s dazzled audiences in Steppenwolf’s “The Crucible” and American Theater Company’s “Men in Boats,” is absolutely magnetic as a character, known only as T. Playing an Asian American lesbian security guard, who finds herself attracted to one of her coworkers, struggles with trying to right the wrongs she sees happening at work.

As Jim, the leader of the security team, Rob Frankel could’ve stepped from the pages of “The Front Page.” He’s a real Chicagoan through-and-through, and his tough, no-nonsense approach to his position is perfect. This production marks Mr. Frankel’s debut with Broken Nose Theatre. Another newcomer to this company, Alejandro Tey, who’s currently playing two roles in Emerald City’s “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” demonstrates his versatility as Latino security guard, Llermo. His fiery personality, with an eye for the ladies and an ear for contemporary music, Tey is another talented actor who audiences will certainly hope to see again soon. 

Bobby is the second-in-command, the leader of the plainclothes policemen and the guy who feels that he’s up for a big promotion. He’s played with confidence and compassion by Adam Soule, last seen in the company’s production of “At the Table.” Theatergoers will find his character charming, but they’ll be surprised at who Bobby really turns out to be, as the story continues to unfold. RjW Mays is wonderfully hilarious as Mary, the human eyes of the security guard team, who masks her work as a cashier. She’s a spirited, sassy woman who harbors far more wisdom than she lets on, at first. But in a revealing scene with Ben F. Locke, as shoplifter Jomal, Ms. Mays lets loose and and we learn a lot more about this urbanite than before.

Other fine performances come from three more wonderful actors. The company’s Artistic Director, Elisa Marie Davis, does double duty, playing both a CPD wannabe, Syd and, near the climax of the play, a new employee named Rachel. Also playing dual roles, another “At the Table” alumnus, David Weiss is very good as YouTube celebrity and petty thief, Pete. He returns in the play’s final moments playing another new employee named Jerrod. And Kim Boler shows dignity and a quiet strength as security guard, Stevie.

This exciting new play by company member Spenser Davis absolutely explodes upon the Den Theatre stage and leaves its emotional shrapnel embedded in the mind every audience member. It’s raw and rugged, populated with fascinating, colorful characters and features a story that will haunt the theatergoer and refuse to leave for a long time.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas  

       

Presented November 9-December 15 by Broken Nose Theatre at the Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are Pay-What-You-Can and are available at the box office or by going to www.brokennosetheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.