By Guest Reviewer Ethan Pearce, Front Row Reviewers
Voodoo Theatre Company is at its best with The Antipodes, a thought-provoking and introspective look at the very nature of creating stories – told through the lens of a corporate team hitting multiple dead ends in their pursuit for the “perfect story”. This show breaks down what makes an interesting and compelling narrative, all while engaging you in the lives of this ensemble cast of characters.
For months, a group of writers struggle to latch onto an idea for the most amazing story ever told. A lofty set of expectations, to be sure, placed upon them by Sandy (Matthew Ivan Bennett) and the nebulous corporate overlords who are spoken of but never seen. It’s a feeling that many of us are familiar with, especially those in creative spheres. In attempting to force themselves to come up with something bulletproof, the group is unable to make anything at all, only increasing the stress they’re under as events outside of their control slow the progress to a crawl.
We get multiple moments with each cast member placed periodically throughout the play, letting us into what makes each of them tick. We learn about why they’re here, how their past experiences have shaped them, and what kinds of stories are meaningful to them. Each character has at least one big monologue, allowing the actors to really sink their teeth into the words from the script.
Sandy forces the writers to relive past experiences, good and bad, to jog the creative juices and get something down on the page. Josh (Jared Kamauu), Dave (Pedro Flores), and Danny M1 (Kelly Branan) all establish themselves and their motivations through powerful stories about their past struggles, setting up why they’re all here and what kinds of narratives are meaningful to them. Each actor stays physically present in the room even while listening to others speak, engaging with the props in a planned yet authentic way. Gail Wright (Props and Assistant Stage Manager) does an excellent job giving the actors no shortage of items and set pieces to pull themselves into the scene with, so it never seems like they had nothing to do.
Playwright Annie Baker‘s script smartly critiques the “hustle culture” that many Americans find themselves trapped in today. Sandy and the corporate bosses are breathing down the writers’ necks, leaving no emotional stone unturned in their quest for a compelling idea. Danny M2 (Sophia Van Nederveen) bristles at the thought of selling out your private life for work, giving a powerful and relatable performance.
Adam (Ellie Otis) is the one to finally break through and find an idea the group is excited about, even under increasingly stressful circumstances. Otis stays on her toes the whole time, delivering an engaging and physically motivated story hearkening back to ancient human mythology from thousands of years ago. Eleanor (Olivia Custodio) is another highlight, linking adult storytelling to childhood dreams in a powerful way.
Sarah (Zoe Fossen) is in many ways the heart of this play. Fossen gives a restrained yet incredibly compelling performance as the one character who seemingly sees things a little bit differently than the others. With the help of excellent color choices and snappy transitions by Lighting Designer Parker Thompson, Fossen’s monologue recounting a peculiar childhood experience was a high point of the show. It’s never quite obvious who Sarah, Sandy’s secretary, is loyal to, or what information she’s privy to that the rest of the cast must simply guess at. She engages the audience in her character in a unique way compared to the rest of the cast, which makes perfect sense for this script and her role in it.
Jack Cobabe (Director) and Jax Jackman (Assistant Director) made a great choice with this script and the excellent cast of actors. The vision is clear and the story has a complete line and message that was easy to engage with. It’s clear they understood the source material and did an amazing job of bringing Baker’s script to life. If you’re in the mood for a relatable story about the very nature of stories themselves, give The Antipodes your support.
Voodoo Theater Company Presents The Antipodes by Annie Baker.
Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center, 2525 Taylorsville Blvd, Taylorsville, UT 84129
March 7-9, 14-16, 2025, times vary
Tickets: $10 Student, $20 for non-students
Contact: info@voodootheatrecompany.com, 801-355-2787
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**Please be advised, this script discusses various adult themes including sex, suicide, & strong language.**
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