Play review: The (Obscure) Unkindness of Ravens” by the Fusion Theatre Project
Most play and musical productions at Utah State are put on by the Caine College of the Arts. These productions are usually written by outside sources and adapted for the USU stage. The Fusion Theatre Project is different.
All members of the Fusion Theatre Project are in charge of every aspect of production. This includes writing, directing, producing, workshopping, publicity and so forth. This makes their current production, entitled “The (Obscure) Unkindness of Ravens”, all the more impressive.
The plot includes six very different people on a hike through the Appalachian Trail in early October.
Bee (played by Lainey Woo) is an outspoken high school junior, escaping to the mountains to avoid her broken family. She befriends and starts to travel with Edward, a very guarded 40-year-old (played by Mitch Shira). Bee is an artist and tries to find the artist within Edward as they travel.
Meanwhile, Brando (formerly Brandon) brings his stepbrother, Paul, on the trail. Brando (played by Noah Gentry) and Paul (played by Dane Michael Braddy) are polar opposites, with Brando talking about his experiences at college as Paul wields a foam sword and references “Lord of the Rings.” The two have contrasting but meaningful conversation as they travel to “the shelter”.
Debra (played by Katie Fay Francis) is a nature enthusiast and college professor who convinces her partner, Marley (played by Liza Shoell) to come on the trip. They are a couple who proves that opposites attract as they bicker along the trail. But they do come to realize that their are some serious problems in their relationship that they need to face.
Chaos and conflict erupts while they all sleep temporarily soundly at “the shelter.” The rest will be revealed for those who choose to attend the play.
“The (Obscure) Unkindness of Ravens” is held in the Black Box Theater in the Chase Fine Arts Center. Although it’s a small theater, the stage production is anything but small. The set includes a full-size shelter, a map of the Appalachian trail, a tree-branch chandelier and projections on all the theater walls.
“The set is what makes the whole play very real and authentic,” said attendee Jessica Krebs. She attended with her husband, Logan.
“The whole thing was very fun and funny,” Logan Krebs said, “but they made it real. That was the impressive part.”
They actors added a lot of detail to their costumes. Each character held a large camping backpack on their hips with sleeping bags attached. Throughout most of the play, it was raining, so they even portrayed their hair as wet.
“This was our first college play and we were very impressed,” said freshman Bridget Michalko, who attended with her friend Bryce Craig. “There was even mud on their hiking boots, just so much attention to detail.”
Each of these six actors holds their own completely. Katie Fay Francis specifically engulfs the audience in her part as the bird-watching and grammar-correcting Debra.
The chemistry between Noah Gentry and Dane Michael Braddy’s characters is fascinating. They show a very natural brother-to-brother relationship. They are the emotional value and comedic relief that much of the play relies on.
Another thing to look forward to is the ten-minute play that precedes “The (Obscure) Unkindness of Ravens,” entitled “Refuge.” The story focuses on Stacy and Derek who are in a hospital waiting room waiting on the results of an unknown friend. “Refuge” includes impressive layers and twists for such a short play. It was also written by student David Kov, making the play all the more striking.
“The (Obscure) Unkindness of Ravens” will be playing at the Black Box Theater in the Chase Fine Arts Building from April 18th to the 21st. Tickets are free to students with a valid USU ID and can be bought at the box office in the Chase Fine Arts Center or online.
@hannahjoyce