BWW Reviews: GOOD TELEVISION with Ashton and Abster Productions

It's so easy to get wrapped up in the scripted formula of America's reality television shows, you forget there's actual reality taking place, at least to some extent. Ashton and Abster Productions takes a gripping behind-the-scenes look in Good Television by Rod McLachlan, playing through Nov.1 at the Aurora Fox Studio.

Directed by John Ashton, the story follows a reality television show called Rehabilitation (similar to A&E'sIntervention), which examines the life an addict...until they're surprised with a family intervention (think a big reveal moment like Extreme Makeover: Home Edition), followed by an all-expenses-paid trip to rehab. Because of the show's success, the workload has doubled for producer Connie (Lauren Bahlman). Rehabilitation's executive producer Bernice (Abby Apple Boes) is taking a better job, causing a need for new staff-show-runner Ethan (Sam Gilstrap)--whose last gig was a show about sexy women with cats--and bubbly, budding film school graduate Tara (Miriam Tobin), who scored the gig through nepotism.

Desperation for more interesting reality subjects leads them to Clemson "Clemmy" McAddy (Benjamin Cowhick), a young meth addict pushed by his family to be on the show, which he believes is a documentary to keep kids off drugs. Most of the production team wants him on the show, but Connie, a recovering addict herself, has her doubts--she's scared the rehab won't work, leaving the episode with an uninspiring and unhappy ending. After speaking with Clemmy's sister Brittany (Christine Sharpe), an overwhelmed single mother of two, Connie pursues their case.

With her new crew, Connie travels to South Carolina, where they encounter the rest of Clemmy's family: controlling brother Mackson (Jack Wefso) and, later, their recovering alcoholic father (Steef Sealy). The family's drama (and a few secrets) come to the forefront, and the reality show becomes a little too real.

Cowhick played Clemmy with a thrilling believability. His commitment to even the smallest details gave the meth addict a visible struggle, flawlessly executing a character that could easily have been too over-the-top. His opening scene hooks you from the start.

Sharpe's Brittany was realistic and heart-wrenching; a girl who was grasping at any hope she could find to save her family and take some weight of who shoulders. Bahlman plays Connie with a relatable conviction. Despite the character's flaws, you rooted for her, and you knew she had good intentions.

The rest of the cast was strong, veraciously capturing the script's pragmatic dialogue you'd hear from an L.A. production office to the authentic conversation of a South Carolina trailer park.

The set, designed by Brandon Philip-Case, fit well in the small studio space. Mostly the inside of a trailer, a few spots were reserved for office furniture, signifying another location. The trailer was convincing, and the attention to detail was smart, especially regarding the exits to the bedrooms and kitchen.

The division between the Los Angeles office and the South Carolina trailer was a bit confusing at first, but a lighting design by Seth Allison, along with a few set decorations, helped contrast the settings. Some leaking light and shadows under the front door were slightly distracting and spoiled a few surprise entrances.

Good Television is one of those shows--but more notably, casts--that keeps you reeling for days. The emotions are genuine, powerful and raw. The plot is engaging and thought-provoking. The climax of act 2 is just intense enough to leave you shaken.

Ashton and Abster Productions' Good Television plays at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday through Nov. 1 at the Aurora Fox's Studio Theater, 9900 East Colfax Ave. in Aurora. Tickets are $26; $20 student/senior and available at aurorafox.org or by calling (303)739-1970. It continues its run at Boulder's Dairy Center for the Arts beginning Thursday, Nov. 8, then plays Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 through Nov. 15. Tickets for that run are available at tickets.thedairy.org.

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