BWW Reviews: Extremities from The Edge Theatre Co.

Extremities, written by William Mastrosimone is a very sensitive show about rape and torture dealing with a would-be rape victim who turns the tables on her attacker.  The show, and it's actors deal with an entire gambit of moral and ethical questions. The play was written in 1982 and is still very relevant to this day. Extremities was made famous on stage and screen by Farrah Fawcett when she made it known that she was to become a serious actress and received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama in 1986. Interesting side note - Susan Sarandon was the original lead in the Off-Broadway production.

The entire cast really rose to the occasion of such a challenging and dark show. The cast includes Kirsten Deane as Marjorie, Jason Maxwell as Raul, Sonia Justl as Terry and Jessica Clare as Patricia. While each member on stage really held their own and had personal shining moments, there was a very recognizable female dynamic in Act II. I should also note that there was a great make-up effect for a shocking reveal (that's all I can say without giving away The Farm) in the show.

The set design, done by director Laura Lounge, was really quite unique and gave us the illusion of peering into the house. At the beginning of the show I noted how homely and quaint the set was, which further impacted the atrocities to come.  I appreciated that she put the fireplace right in front (practically in the audiences lap) to give the entire show a "more in-your-face" experience. The sound effect of the buzzing, while part of the plot seemed more annoying than essential. I did find it fitting that they ended the show with Me and a Gun by Tori Amos (based on her own personal experience with rape).

I commend the actors, director and company for putting on such a fine piece of drama.  This show is totally worth the drive out to Lakewood!

This was an awesome first show of the 2011 season for the Edge Theatre Company (in their new space in Lakewood) and I am excited to see what is to come.  The Edge Theatre Copany is a newly branded company specializing in edgier theater for the Denver community.

Extremities is currently running now until February 20th.  For tickets of more information, call the box office at 303-232-0363 or visit www.theeproject.org.  The Edge Theatre Company is located at 9797 West Colfax Avenue in Lakewood, CO.

Here is a list of what to look forward to from this fine company:

Speed the Plow by David Mamet      March 11 - April 20

Killers and Other Family by Lucy Thurber      May 6 - June 5

Murder at the Howard Johnson's by Ron Clark and Sam Bobrick      June 30 - July 17

Five Women Wearing the Same Dress by Alan Ball      July 21 - August 7

Faithful by Chazz Palminteri      August 11 - August 28

The Shape of Things by Neil LeBute      September 23 - October 23

Eight Reindeer Monologues by Jeff Goode      November 18 - December 31

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