Sexism in the World of Video Gaming

Non-Player Character – Red Theatre Chicago

Six years ago a controversy erupted in the video gaming world. It stemmed from some shocking incidents of cyberbullying, directed by a handful of spiteful male gamers toward their female counterparts. This harassment campaign was nicknamed hashtag #GamerGate. It was aimed specifically at several quick-witted women working in the video game industry. The incident began when a jealous, dissatisfied gamer accused his smart, talented girlfriend, a promising video game developer, of having an unethical relationship with a journalist.

A former staff member of Chicago Dramatists and a founding ensemble member of Sideshow Theatre Company, Boston-based playwright Walt McGough has fictionalized the circumstances of this real-life embroilment and created an entertaining 90-minute one-act. Theatergoers who enjoy the fantasy world of video competition will particularly enjoy this inventive, fast-paced play. Originally given a staged reading four years ago at the Huntington Theatre Company, McGough’s imaginative comic drama has subsequently been produced all over the country. This Chicago premier, now enjoying an intimate and very creative production, at the Red Theater, is guided by Beth Wolf. A freelance director from Chicago, this is her Red Theater debut. Ms. Wolf’s spirited production should be a great draw for and provide an evening of wild entertainment for those into the adventurous, youth-oriented world of video gaming.

Katja, an avid fantasy player, and an aspiring designer of video games, has relocated from Lancaster, Pennsylvania to begin a new career in Seattle, Washington. However, Katja quickly discovers that her position is disappointing and unfulfilling, so she quits. Eventually Katja’s hired as a barista at her neighborhood Starbucks Cafe. Back in Lancaster, Trent, her high school friend and best gaming buddy, finds he’s missing her a lot. They still communicate through social media and enjoy their weekly, online role-playing video game, entitled SpearLight. Through the game, the two friends become a united force, and together they vanquish every animated monster from the underworld.

However, absence eventually makes the heart grow fonder. Soon Trent grows lonely and realizes that Katja means more to him than as simply a video playmate. When he finally expresses his true feelings to Katja, eventually confessing his love, she tells Trent that she’s touched and flattered, but doesn’t share his deep affection. Then Trent learns that Katja is seeing another guy and he becomes insanely jealous and vengeful. Soon Trent has rallied an online army of haters who constantly stalk Katja online, threatening sexual violence, bodily harm and even death.

The company at Red Theater is uniformly excellent, with Alice Wu spectacularly heading the cast as Katja. This talented actress, with a resume that boasts appearances all over Chicago, impresses with her honesty and eloquence, making Katja a very realistic and empathetic protagonist. She’s ably matched by Matthew Schnitker as Trent. He perfectly portrays the prototypical nerdy Millennial, still living at home and obsessed with his electronic play toys. For this kid, stagnating in his own filth, doing laundry is considered “an adventure.” Schnitker imbues his character with lethargy and hopelessness, except when it comes to living in his fantasy world. The audience will see this one-sided relationship blossoming from the very beginning, but how it eventually plays out may surprise most theatergoers.

The supporting cast is equally superb. Each actor not only plays multiple roles, but ably assists in reconfiguring Chas Mathieu’s inventive properties and scenic design, made even more exciting by the handiwork of video creators, Clare Brennan, Aaron Sawyer, and Beth Wolf. Handsome, hunky Michael Saubert and lovely,  lithe Tracey Green are both excellent as Katja and Trent’s online alter-egos, Caspar and Aria. Athletic and focused, they skillfully brandish their broadsword and quarterstaff in combat, bringing excitement and humor to this production. The two join forces with rugged robust Trevor Strahan as the arrogant, animated Feldrick, and diminutive Abigail Lafont as the sexy, silent-but-deadly Morwyn. In addition Margaret Kellas is delightful as Naomi, Katja’s friend and supervisor at Starbucks; and Dre Marquis is very funny as both the magical fantasy Farmer with killer vegetables and Grant, a gamer who tries to make amends with Katja.

This production wouldn’t work without the fine fight choreography and movement coaching, provided by Maureen Yasko and Chris Smith. In addition, all those adventurous battles were carefully rehearsed by actors Michael Saubert and Abigail Lafont, who double as the production’s Fight Captains. Sanja Manakoski’s delicious costumes, particularly her fantasy fashions, are Medieval, seductively formfitting and appropriately revealing. 

Red Theater’s latest offering brings the culture of live video gaming to theatre audiences. Much like other plays, such as “She Kills Monsters” and “Theatre of the Arcade,” which offers a mash-up of five classic video games adapted for the stage, theatergoers who revel in playing electronic fantasy games will love Walt McGough’s play. The production is imaginatively staged by guest director, who brings the action to within just a few feet of her audience. She’s guided her splendid ensemble to perfection. She may even have inspired a few patrons, who’ve never indulged in this form of entertainment, to give it a go in the world of fantasy role playing. Just beware of those man-eating pumpkins!

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas 

Presented April 20-May 18 by Red Theater Chicago at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 773-935-6875 or by going to www.redtheater.org.

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