the love object

by Emerging Playwright-in-Residence Justine Gelfman, directed by Northwestern MFA Directing alum Jasmine B. Gunter.

This play explores defamation, also the title given to Ramona’s Roger’s new sold-out stadium tour.  Ramona is an oppressive, self-centered bubblegum celebrity in the early 2000s pop music culture.  The show depicts all the ridiculousness of scandal, whether that scandal is fabricated or real, in the behind-the-scenes antics of the performers and Ramona’s assistant Paula.

The play explores betrayal and power and runs October 10 – November 3, 2024 on Raven Theatre’s Schwartz Stage, 6157 N. Clark St. (at Granville) in Chicago.  

In the crunch before the performance, Ramona’s supposed best friend and trusted assistant Paula announces she is leaving to pursue her own artistry. Ramona freaks out, fearing the loss of her closest confidante, and reveals that a sex tape she made is about to be released which will taint her image and possibly destroy her reputation and ticket sales.   How Paula reacts reveals whether she can escape her oppressive boss Ramona and put herself first.  Ultimately this shows questions what it takes to climb the ladder and if there are any regrets from actions taken to get ahead.  Although these dilemmas are captured within the music industry, they evoke the distasteful antics in corporate life, politics, etc.  What is a lie?  What will someone do to get ahead? To win?

The love object also examines the hyper-sexualization of women celebrities, the power struggles of interracial friendship and the tragedies of late-stage capitalism.

Damaging the good reputation of someone, whether through slander or libel, is an everyday occurrence in our society. Our society is obsessed with getting ahead, distractions, and attention.

The story develops a bit slowly, then picks up, with some nice technical effects and dance moves.  The Raven Theatre is a real treat for an intimate performance experience.

Recommended

Judy Nathan – Chicago Theatre Review