Youth At The Beck: Reckless

Life has been reckless with the characters in the Beck Center’s upcoming teen production. The play opens with the protagonist, Rachel (played by Meryl Juergens), receiving a confession from her husband (Perry Elyaderani) that he hired a hitman to kill her. But the story isn’t about her escape- it’s about the things in her past she can’t escape. The story is a validating one for anyone who has dealt with loss, regret, or distrust. And let’s be honest, who hasn’t?

But it all happens with some hilarious and absurd moments along the way- moments so absurd and specific it feels like it has to be true. And yet, jumping from car to bedroom, shrink’s office to business office, you can’t ever be entirely sure what’s real and what’s a dream in the fractured, nonlinear story written by Craig Lucas. (You might know him as the playwright of Prelude to a Kiss which he also adapted into a Meg Ryan movie).

As Rachel wrestles with her own crises, we slip into her world one hint at a time, one coincidence at a time. It’s the seriously flawed but seriously well-meaning people that Rachel encounters who turn some of the bitterness into bittersweet. It’s the real and loveable, quirky, mistake-making people that make this reckless world of the play tolerable to live in for an hour and a half- a reminder of that truth as it plays out in our real lives. Among these characters are Lloyd Bophtelophti (say that ten times fast!), played with a striking contrast of traits by Anthony Newman and his paraplegic wife, Pooty played by the expressive Leah Windahl.

Beck Center Associate Director of Education, Jonathan Kronenberger, has directed Reckless two other times, but never with a teen cast. And just like in past Beck Center productions (like last season’s challenging Sondheim musical, Into The Woods,) Jonathan continues to bring out the best in his young actors. Of course, it’s also thanks to the cast itself, packed with lots more fun character actors to fill the variety of roles from a condescending therapist to game show host. (Bet you can’t wait to see how those characters fit into the story line…)

As I walked into the Beck’s Studio Theatre to see one of the final rehearsals for Reckless, I was greeted by the thing I can only describe as Jonathan-energy: a cheerful and welcoming wave with the simultaneous grounded and focused director’s multitasking. While en-route to another part of the theatre, he explained over his shoulder to me that they were drilling some lines to make sure that script isn’t ever paraphrased. They’re working with heavy material, but the standards are high for these actors and it shows in the product. When everyone brings their A-game to rehearsal, it’s no wonder when a small snag occurs, he can say “It’s all good!” Opening night will be well worth seeing for teens and adults alike, so get your tickets for an enlightening night of theatre, and to witness the budding of many talent artists.

Beck Teen Theater's production of Reckless runs in the Studio Theater, February 24 through March 4, 2012. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. There is a special 10 a.m. student matinee Thursday, March 1.

Tickets for Reckless are $12 for Adult/Senior (65 and over) and $10 for Children/Student (18 and under). To purchase tickets, visit beckcenter.org or call 216.521.2540, ext. 10. Beck Center is located at 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood, just 10 minutes west of downtown Cleveland. Free onsite parking is available.

Beck Center’s production of Reckless is presented through special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc. and is sponsored by Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, the Ohio Arts Council, and Music Is Elementary.