Speech and Debate

Photo by Joan Marcus

After nearly three weeks off from theater going, this was a solid return to the joys of theater going.

Roundabout Theater Company has introduced two new bits to their list of offerings. One is a smaller theater well below street level (below or above the subway, I don't know) for what seems to be hipper offerings. They've also introduced $20 tickets for people under 35. I just barely qualify. And, both are a hit as far as I'm concerned.

Speech and Debate tells a story of an unlikely friendship between three teens based on their somewhat self-imposed shameful secrets. It's billed as a story of three teens united by a story about a teacher's inappropriate actions towards a student or two, but I'm not sure that's the whole story. Well-told, ably structured it also shows us a lack of innocence in the teens. We presume them innocent so often and yet in some ways teens (and weren't we all a teen once-don't we remember?) are not at all innocent. We ascribe them this innocence they should have, but do they indeed have it? I'm not so sure it's as we wish to imagine it.

Two themes that were touched on here were the Lolita theme and even something of the Garden of Eden. These kids were tempting adults in their own way, in some ways some of this was a digital Lolita. This was nice because it helped me realize that while teens/children overextend when it comes to their innocence, they aren't fully aware of consequences in the same way adults are. Therein lies the difference. Everyone can be consenting, but adults understand consequences. I think if Lolita meets Garden of Eden a bit here, the consequences can be shame and loss of innocence for a teen who extends beyond their reach sexually and in other ways, as well.

Well written and unbelievably acted it was a joy to be in the audience. The acting was so good I can't imagine seeing any of these actors again in other roles, although I'm sure I will, and indeed I hope to.

I could have lived without the exposure to the inside lingo of what it means to be a part of a speech and debate club. But, then I love band movies having been a band geek for years, so I'm sure a certain group of people were ever so happy to have this play speak to their fond memories of high school.

Underestimated teens, underestimated people, but a play that definitely lives up to its expectations. The under 35 crowd was extremely comfortable and the over 50 crowd didn't seem uncomfortable. However, if I were go to back I would probably grab my younger friends simply because it plays so well to a generation that ends with a letter (x, y, z whatever we're up to now). If it's still playing, don't hesitate and grab the discount tickets if you can.