Review: THREE SHITTY SONS is a Production Worth Further Attention

THREE SHITTY SONS is presented in part of UT New Theatre. Curated by KJ Sanchez and co-curated by Alexandra Bassiakou Shaw, the showcase aims to spotlight the new works of UT's third-year M.F.A. Playwriting candidates and serve as a launching platform for emerging theatre artists. Written by Hannah Kenah and directed by Mason Rosenthal, this absurdist comedy pays tribute to Thorton Wilder's Our Town and proposes a closer look at life and the afterlife.

THREE SHITTY SONS tells the story of...well... three shitty sons. Eli (Ben Montero), Sam (Jared VosWinkel), and Dick (Sebastian Ojeda) are brothers that love the holidays and plotting their mother, Mamu's (Amaya Ananda Abalos) death. Despite their feeble attempts and constant arguments, Mamu remains very much alive. All the while, the play's vexed narrator (Caroline Beagles) finds ways to position herself directly into the ongoings of the dysfunctional family. Throw in some ghosts, a wedding, and a gazebo committee and what's remains is a production that leaves audiences laughing and scratching their heads.

Performances by the seven-person cast are fun and energetic. As the three brothers, Ben Montero, Jared VosWinkel, and Sebastian Ojeda are a hilarious trio. Fully committed and engaged, their hilarious hijinks and garbled language make the group entertaining and fascinating to watch. Amaya Ananda Abalos completely transforms into the character of Mamu. Going between bouts of screaming, mumbling, and lucidity, Abalos is a dynamic and arresting figure. Caroline Beagles captivates and rouses as the narrator turned priest turned daughter-in-law, Emily who attempts to be a guiding force but ends up woven into the play's proceedings. Rounding out the cast as the not-so-dearly departed family members are Gilberto Beltran as the slow-speaking father, John and Sydnie Brown as the sweet, mellifluous younger sister, Nancy.

Hannah Kenah's script, while absurd and comedic, tells a very simple story. Kenah takes situations that are often commonplace in our families and entertainment and magnifies these circumstances to the extreme. This leaves the play operating like a distorted sitcom while dealing with real issues like aging parents, family dynamics, loss, and depression. While the themes of the script come through the actual message it's trying to convey is murky. This leaves the piece, despite being entertaining and emotional, without a clear purpose.

The production's set designed by Roxenia Mojica continues the feel of a classic sitcom. The warm tones and modest design worked well during the 90-minute piece as the stage is covered in piles of chairs, decorations, and weapons at any given moment. The most impressive addition being the family's full Thanksgiving table, complete with turkey dinner.

THREE SHITTY SONS is a production worth further attention. While the play is sure to grow from this first staging, it possesses the bones of a well-crafted theatrical piece. Hilarious, fast-paced, and bizarre, this play is a brave and enjoyable new work.

THREE SHITTY SONS is now playing at Oscar G. Brockett Theatre, F. Loren Winship Drama Building 300 E. 23rd Street, 78712 until March 31st. March 27th-29th, 31st at 7:30p and March 30th at 2:00p.

Contains some mature content and mention of suicide and murder.

Running time is 90 minutes with no intermission.

Tickets: $15 for students, $21 for UT Austin faculty/staff, and $26 for adults.

For more info and to purchase tickets