Review: VENUS at Actor's Express

There is something truly special about a play’s world premiere. Being some of the first audiences to experience a story brings with it a sense of excitement and uncertainty and is a real thrill. That is especially true when a play finds ways to surprise you the way Steve Yockey’s VENUS does. This “rolling world premiere”, playing through May 3rd at Actor’s Express, is funny, engaging, and yes, a bit shocking, but in a bold and refreshing way.

VENUS is the latest “celestial” play by Atlanta playwright Steve Yockey, author of MERCURY and PLUTO. If follows two women, Beth (Suehyla El-Attar Young) and Nicole (Kate Donadio MacQueen) who learn that, though opposites often attract, they don’t always bring out the best in each other. Mr. Yockey’s witty and ascerbic dialogue is brilliantly conceived and ensures that the audience is invested right from the start. The story unfolds smoothly, but with an air of mystery, and twists and turns until it reaches its surprising climax.

As Beth, the free-spirited film projectionist, Suehyla El-Attar Young is frenetic, funny, and fabulous. She wins over the audience from her first moments on stage and brings them along for the wild ride that is VENUS. Beth soon meets neurotic Nicole, played with an intense but focused energy by Kate Donadio MacQueen and the rest, as they say, is history. The story of their fateful first date and ensuing escapades unfolds in a liminal space while the two women trade quips and jabs as they share their story. Ms. El-Attar Young’s Beth is likeable, yet unpredictable as she breaks the fourth wall to gain sympathy from audience members for her plight. Ms. Donadio MacQueen’s Nicole frequently counters with impatient precision, often hilariously frustrated with the way Beth shares the story.

Director Melissa Foulger’s staging and pacing is even and accessible to start, building briskly as the story takes its dramatic turn. Kat Conley’s luminescent, planetary platform creates a setting that is dazzling and dynamic. When lit by Hernando Claros’ eclectic collection of light fixtures, the stage takes on an other-worldly glow. Dan Bauman’s sound design helps punctuate the abrupt tonal shifts and adds a layer of disorientation and discomfort when necessary. Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay’s costumes fit the two characters perfectly, from Beth’s Jaws T-shirt and film-inspired earrings, to Nicole’s proper slacks and conservative top.

Overall, VENUS at Actor’s Express is an intriguing, surprising, and entertaining production. It’s fast-paced, funny, and fascinating in its storytelling technique. If you are a fan of Steve Yockey or just love a good romantic comedy (with a twist), then VENUS may just be the planetary destination for you.

VENUS, presented by Actor’s Express, runs through May 3rd. Performances are Wednesdays through Fridays at 7:30 PM, Saturday at 8:00 PM, and Sunday at 2:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased online at actors-express.com or by calling 404-607-7469. Performances take place at Actor’s Express (at the King Plow Arts Center), 887 West Marietta Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30318. For more information, visit https://actors-express.com/play-page-venus/

ABOUT ACTOR’S EXPRESS

Since its founding in 1988, Actor’s Express has become the preeminent hub for dynamic, provocative and consistently outstanding theatre in Atlanta, presenting work that sparks personal transformations and catalyzes community conversations. We are committed to enacting Anti-Racist and Anti-Bias principles that create a diverse, inclusive, safe and brave space for artists and audiences. Actor’s Express is located on the westside of Atlanta in the King Plow Arts Center at 887 W. Marietta Street, Suite J-107, Atlanta, Georgia 30318.

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