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Emancipatory Politics: A Romantic Tragedy is a postmodern, wandering look at group of young people examining their lives and their purpose in the 21st Century. A mixture of scenes, monologues, songs, dance, puppets, it flows like an abstract poem. It is not always clear what is going on or what the audience is supposed to make it of it, and that might be exactly the point.

Whatever is going on, Mobtown Players and this cast tackle it with gusto. There is an interesting, representational set that takes the audience back and forth between Baltimore and Arizona. There is also some really interesting choreography.

Best of all, the ensemble cast balances each other well and work as a well-oiled machine to each play their part. There is a great blend with little focus pulled at the wrong time. Some of the most memorable moments come from the sweet and adorable Megan (Carly Donnelly), the neurotic Hollis (Rachel Verhaaren), the down-to-Earth Jesse (Robert Vary), the crazy driven Charlie (William R. McHattie), the solid and steady Starr (Vince Constantino), the visionary Heather (Xandra Ellin), and the brash outspoken Victory (Laura Holland). The absolute standout, however, is Josh Thomas as Beowulf. He has a cool, relaxed style, and he steals the show with his hilarious and vocally brilliant “I Changed My Name.”

Emancipatory Politics: A Romantic Tragedy is definitely not for younger audience. There is a lot of adult language and adult situations.

Cast

• Charlie: William R. McHattie
• Iracel: Kristine Sloan
• Heather: Xandra Ellin
• Megan: Carly Donnelly
• Becky: Katharine Vary
• Starr: Vince Constantino
• Jesse: Robert Vary
• Hollis: Rachel Verhaaren
• Tyler: Griffin Stanbro
• Victory: Laura Holland
• Anne: Serena Miller
• Joey/Eric: Patrick Gorirossi
• Alexis: Barbara Zektick
• Beowulf: Josh Thomas
• Morgan: Megan Farber

Production Staff and Crew

• Director: Brian S. Kraszewski
• Stage Manager/Board Op: Jesse Doggett
• Choreographer/Costume Design: Deb Carson
• Scenic Artist: Kristie Winther
• Lighting Design: Bill Quick
• Fight Choreography: Sarah Flash Gorman
• Fight Captain: William R. McHattie
• Property Master: Kim Stanbro
• Set Construction: Vince Constantino, Carly Donnelly, Christina Holmes, Kristine Sloan, Darcy Smith
• Dialect Consultant: Kerry S. Brady
• Lobby Artist: Janna Morton
• Poster Design: Greg Jericho
• Production Photography: Elizabeth Hanson
• Composed and Performs “Pizza for Puppets Uno” (track 3): Serena Miller
• Composed and Performs “Pizza for Puppets Duo” (track 7), “I Changed My Name,” (track 15), “And You Beside Me” (track 18): Josh Thomas
• Composed and Performs “Arizona” (track 8), “Underscore” (track 21): William R. McHattie
• Composed and Recorded “One by One” (track 11): Erica Patoka
• Vocals “One by One” (track 11): Carly Donnelly, Xandra Ellin, Megan Farber, Serena Miller, Katharine Vary, Rachel Verhaaren, Barbara Zektick
• Composed and Recorded “One Day” (track 19): Snuttock
• Producer: Brent Englar

Disclaimer: Mobtown Players provided two complimentary media tickets to ShowBizRadio for this review.