By Richelle Sutton
The world premiere of Camille Washington’s new play ODA might by the Plan-B Theatre Company is an intense psychological thriller showing at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The playwright herself was the recipient of the emerging artist award this year from The Davey Foundation. The Plan-B Theatre Company boasts an outstanding record of producing new work by local playwrights, seeing many of them to go on to receive awards and productions across the nation.
This new play takes place in a mental hospital around 1994. A patient and doctor discuss the life events that have led them to this moment. As the play progresses, however, lies are brought to light and truths are questioned. Who is the real patient here? What is the truth buried beneath the stories?
I was impressed with how riveted I was to the action of this play with only two actors onstage through most of the play. There are only three characters in the 80-minute production and each play their part wonderfully. Dee-Dee Darby-Duffin (Patient) is a very down to earth and unapologetic medium. Despite being unrepentant of her life breaking the law and being involved with a murder, she is incredibly likeable. Darby-Duffin herself is honest and charismatic in her character work. Flo Bravo (Orderly), although not seen as often, is iconic in her role and plays an indispensable catalyst to the action every time she walks onstage. And to tie up this impeccable trio is Yolanda Stange (Doctor). At first incredibly unassuming, her foreshadowing to later events helps to set the appropriate mood the piece needs right from the start. But Stange’s complete emotional change is what really set her character apart from me. All three of these women show an incredible talent and are a seamless team in bringing this new work to life.
The small and intimate black box theatre gives a nice, dark setting for a more eerie piece, but what really made it stand out in its mysterious way was the simple yet inhospitable feeling set. It is easy to see how Keven Myhre (Set Designer) uses each piece with crucial intent. The thing that caught my eye right from the top was the use of cinderblocks to outline the room and hallway used within the show. In the progression of the show, it impressed upon me that it was not only practical for a building to have, but also cold and unyielding. The window set high from the action overlooking the scene is both forbidding and comforting within the play. I found myself constantly watching it for inconsistencies or shadows. William Peterson’s lighting design is both subtle and striking in parts, but never too much. I loved how it highlights important impressions within the script and keeps the pacing and action high. K.L. Alberts is keen with his costume design being practical and realistic. I felt that I was watching a real conversation throughout the whole piece because of how grounded the characters are in their clothing, showing both the time period and subtle class differences between characters.
I do want to give applause to Washington’s script and to director Cheryl Ann Cluff for their incredible work on this world premiere. This is a show that I would highly recommend to any fans of a good thriller, or those who have seen Ghost. ODA might at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center will keep you thinking for hours. The Plan-B Theatre Company does an impeccable job with premiering this script to the Salt Lake City community and I personally hope to see this script produced broadly.
The Plan-B Theatre Company presents ODA might, by Camille Washington.
Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 Broadway, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
November 7-17, 2019, Thursday-Friday 8:00 PM, Sat 4:00 PM, 8:00 PM, Sun 2:00 PM 80 minutes, no intermission
Tickets: General Admission $22.00
Plan-B Theatre Company Webpage
Plan-B Theatre Company Facebook Page
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