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Colleen Zenk and Randy Brooks. Photo by Scott J. Kimmins.
FAMILY SHOTS presented by Human Race Theatre Company through Feb. 8. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening Sunday evening performance.
New year, new play. The Human Race Theatre Company kicks off 2015 with the World Premiere of FAMILY SHOTS by Michael Slade.
Director Kevin Moore has cast a solid ensemble, led by Corbin Bleu, Colleen Zenk & Randy Brooks, in this contemporary look at the compromise of marriage.
Corbin Bleu and Randy Brooks. Photo by Scott J. Kimmins.
Brooks is funny and endearing as the family patriarch, Sam. A wise, self-made man who views negotiation and compromise as essentials to any relationship. Colleen Zenk plays his ever-worryful wife Marsha and Corbin Bleu as their gay, married, successful photographer son, Aaron. At first blush, I got the impression that Marsha was Sam’s second wife and Aaron’s step-mother. Initially, for me , the relationship between Sam and Marsha didn’t carry their sense of history together. Similarly, Aaron’s annoyance with Marsha’s personality seemed to overpower their relationship. Over the course of the show, these impression did fade for the most part.
Corbin Bleu and Colleen Zenk. Photo by Scott J. Kimmins.
The arrival of Aaron’s husband, Malcolm, (played by Adam Halpin) later in the show brings the realities of marriage to the forefront, and questions today’s definition of success. While Malcolm’s relationship with Sam seems well-defined, I found myself missing the underlying connection between Aaron and Malcolm, their marital problems not withstanding.
While functional, I thought the use of a rotating platform in Scott J. Kimmins set design a bit of an over-complication, considering the under-used side platforms.
FAMILY SHOTS is a fun and cute production that will grow stronger over the upcoming performances.
My rating: 3.75 out of 5
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Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 