PicksInSix Review: The Targeted - A Red Orchid Theatre
‘TARGETED’: Conspiracy, Harassment and Human Obsession
PicksInSix® Review | Guest Contributor | Ronald Keaton
Well, it's both comic and intense. Profane and highly satirical in tone and in presentation. “The Targeted,” Hanna Kime's world premiere receiving a bang-bang production through the auspices of A Red Orchid Theatre at the Chopin Theatre, spares no quarter in its group of quite radical, disparate people and viewpoints. Director Grace Dolezal-Ng gives it all an almost improvisational feel in many of the exchanges between characters. She also makes it easy to follow in the frenetic pace of the writing, recognizing Ms. Kime's highly emotional back-and-forth in compartmentalized staging with three definitive areas of the camp, the lodge, whatever it seems to be.
The conceit is the Solidarity And Truth Summit, organized by Jeff (Lawrence Grimm shines as a smarmy leader of the weekend), who has researched all kinds of torture and surveillance groups that seem, in his mind, to have a "Big Brother" influence on all of society. Echoes of Jim Jones-like figures emanate every time he speaks. It's in the woods, of course, to protect all who attend from as much pain and upheaval as possible.
Everyone who is present has their own axe to grind, so to speak, even one person, Mia (Stephanie Shum, who carries the heavy weight of doubt in all these proceedings quite admirably), attending the conference to support her younger brother Eric (Glenn Obrero in a fine turn), who has a chip of sorts in his arm that constantly itches.
Meanwhile, the strongest advocate in the group, Rhonda, (the wonderful Kirsten Fitzgerald, who makes intensity look easy), an acclaimed author, is highly suspicious of anyone and everyone in attendance. Rhonda intimidates with authority in these proceedings, while never really having come to grips with her own problems with her daughter. She influences Sherry (a bright performance by Sadieh Rifai), whose seeming innocence belies an anger that she's never shared. The most interesting relationship in the play is between Rhonda and Sherry. One is quite dominant and forceful in her opinions. One learns how truly naive she's been in her own life. Both Ms. Fitzgerald and Ms. Rifai own these moments with strength and commitment.
AROT stalwart Natalie West, blessed with impeccable comic timing, garners her share of laughs as Didi, an apparent victim of all kinds of emotional and mental torture, but who retains somehow a sense of humor and grace to all. The Lauren M. Nichols set design is quite minimalist and wonderfully appropriate with its three playing areas on the set itself.
There actually is a fourth area for the actors out in the first couple of rows in the audience, where all are included whenever Jeff speaks to participants as the erstwhile host. Smart mood and area lighting are thanks to Josiah Croegaert's design talents. I'm guessing the real fun in rehearsals for this play came from what knowledge that Dan Washelesky, the dramaturg/script supervisor could impart. It's a challenging and fascinating story that's written here, dealing in conspiracy, harassment and human obsession—only a few of society's ills touched in a well-conceived script.
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR | RONALD KEATON received an Equity Jeff Award for the performance of his one-man show CHURCHILL. www.solochicagotheatre.com. Coming soon, his new solo play about Ben Franklin, THE FIRST EMBASSY.
PHOTO | Evan Hanover
A Red Orchid Theatre
presents
WORLD PREMIERE
THE TARGETED
Chopin Theatre
1543 West Division
through June 14, 2026
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