Mystery, Tension and Strong Characters

The Tasters – Rivendell Theatre

First seen last year as part of Victory Gardens’ 2019 IGNITION Festival of New Plays, Meghan Brown’s dark, sometimes humorous dystopian drama is being given a fully staged production at Rivendell. The story has a definite feeling of familiarity. Its tense, frightening plot must’ve been inspired by the current leaders of our country and their oppressive, authoritarian administration. Meghan Brown’s play and the five characters who tell her story may remind theatergoers of such powerful novels as 1984 and The Handmaid’s Tale. 

In this drama, the military are people with too much power who are hated and feared by the populace. They rule over a futuristic country where turmoil is constant and civil war is forever ongoing. Because the dictator generals haven’t lost their lives valiantly on the battlefield, but rather at their dining tables, volunteers have been brought in to taste all the food and drink. Their job is to determine if anything the dictators are about to consume has been laced with poison.

Lovely Corrine, played with relish and high energy by Daniella Pereira, has just been selected as the newest member of the tasting panel. She’s ecstatic to be serving her country and, especially, the General (a brash, bullying Eric Slater), whose stirring speeches and strong leadership she worships. She enters the tiny room that she’ll share with Bianca, another taster and a young mother-to-be. Corrine announces straight off that she’s certain the two will become best friends, as she looks forward to her first tasting. 
Soon, into the room is brought Elyse, a captured resistance leader who has become a legend to her people opposing the new, authoritarian regime. Elyse is played with strength and cool bravado by the always marvelous Shariba Rivers (“Hoodoo Love” at Raven). Chained to her table, she’s to be the newest taste tester, but Corrine makes it clear that she hates this revolutionary rebel and resents being in the same room with her.

 Bianca, who’s affably played with resolution and spirit by the wonderfully charismatic Paula Ramirez, finds herself caught in the middle. In order to save the life of her baby, Bianca has to make some crucial, dangerous decisions. Collin Quinn Rice portrays Lt. Sawyer, a congenial young soldier whose job is to wheel in the new food for each meal. They delight in describing each entree to the tasters with their own particular flourish.
Accomplished director Devon de Mayo is a theatre artist who’s known for guiding such stunning Chicago productions as “If I Forget,” at Victory Gardens, “First Love is the Revolution,” at Steep, and the delightful “Women Laughing Alone with Salad,” at Theater Wit. Here she intensely leads her five actors through Meghan Brown’s horror story about a futuristic society that doesn’t feel that far removed from our own. Ms. de Mayo is particularly excellent in drawing another excellent performance from Shariba Rivers, while bringing Paula Ramirez to stardom as Bianca.

Yeaji Kim has nicely designed the sparse room that serves as the jail cell, in which the three tasters will live. At their tables they’ll  eat each meal, be observed for any adverse reactions, and sleep through the night at their stations. She’s also created the projections that add still another view of this brave, new world. Sound is provided by Hannah Foerschler, lighting has been designed by Heather Sparling and an array of delicious-looking foods come courtesy of properties mistress, Mary O’Dowd. The stylish, futuristic costumes were designed and created by Rebecca Duff which add yet another dimension to each character.

This dystopian drama by Meghan Brown is very powerful. It’s filled with mystery, tension, strong characters and a compelling story that stirs the imagination. This finely-paced, 90-minute production has been beautifully directed by Devon de Mayo, chocked full of suspense and startling surprises. The production offers several especially seductive performances that drive this fatalistic tale to its exhilarating conclusion, leaving each audience with much to think about.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas      

Presented January 10-February 16 by Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue, Chicago.

Tickets are available at the box office, by calling 773-334-7728 or by going to www.RivendellTheatre.org.

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