When a dental appointment turns into a wrestling match with Satan himself, quick-thinking Deb becomes the Devil's soul scavenger in the world premiere of Keith Reddin's Synergy, playing the Alley Theatre's Neuhaus Arena Stage Feb. 2-March 4.
When Deb arrives at her dental date in hell (literally!), she meets a Dean Martin-ish Devil, who trades her soul for the chance to gather the souls of others. Where better to begin her quest than at...the Walt Disney Corporation.
An actor as well as playwright, Reddin finished Synergy while performing in the role of Gunner in the Alley's Misalliance back in May, 1999. After organizing a reading with his castmates, he took the script to Alley artistic director Gregory Boyd, who immediately took interest in producing it at the Alley.
Reddin's other writing credits include Rum and Coke, Life During Wartime, The Innocent's Crusade and an adaptation of Bulgakov's Black Snow.
Atlantic Theatre co-founder Karen Kohlhaas directs. Her credits with that company include Harold Pinter's The Hothouse and David Mamet's The Water Engine and Mr. Happiness. Jenny Maguire is Deb with Edmond Genest as the Devil. Also featured in the cast are Reathel Bean (Sidney), Christopher Duva (Roland), Callum Keith-King (Otto), Fay Ann Lee (Jade, Michelle) and Eric Sheffer Stevens (Marc).
Designing Synergy are Kevin Rigdon (sets), Michael Lincoln (lighting), Karyl Newman (costumes) and Malcolm Nicholls (sound).
Tickets to Equus are $49-$19. The Alley Theatre is located at 615 Texas Avenue. For reservations, call (713) 228-8421 or (800) 259-ALLE. The Alley Theatre is on the web at http://www.alleytheatre.com.
— By Christine Ehren
