Photo by David Leyes.
Romantic/Fanatic
By Sarah Swift
Presented by Fool Productions
Factory Theatre Mainspace
Tue July 7 @ 8:45pm
Thu July 9 @ 4:00pm
Fri July 10 @ 7:30pm
Sun July 12 @ Noon
Tickets are $10 at the door.
Reviewed by Daina Valiulis
Romantic/Fanatic is a terrific new play that is engaging from start to finish. The play tracks the honest and humorous story of Jane (played very sympathetically by Swift herself) and Ethan (Martin Chodorek), from first meeting to heart-wrenching breakup.
Swift’s writing style is similar to Diablo Cody’s (Juno). In a language all her own, Swift writes clever, rapid-fire dialogue between Jane and her best friend, Suzie (Hannah Barnett-Kemper) to show their closeness. In one scene, they’re bickering good-naturedly over the phone and Jane quips, “Don’t make me middle name you!” Not only is the language clever, but the structure and plot hold up in telling the couple’s unique and totally relatable story. The acting also holds up across the board — nothing is ever forced and the performers are so genuine and natural that it’s easy to believe them.
Romantic/Fanatic is a must see — watch out for Fool Productions in the future. I’m sure they’ll be around.
