Dancing Lessons
Dancing Lessons
By Mark St Germain
Directed by Cynthia White
With Steven Lane and Ginger Lee McDermott
Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, Orlando FL</strong>
We are all damaged goods on some level, but both Senga (McDermott) and Ever (Lane) are professionally damaged. She’s a dancer who may never get another call back due to an accident; Ever is an Asperger’s type who holds a job but can’t hold a hand. He’s won an award worth $2153.00 (he know’s because he signed the purchase order) and now the most dreadful thing must occur: he must attend the ceremony, and may have to dance. He needs Senga’s help and with a mix of persistence and annoyance he eventually convinces Senga (“Agnes” in reverse) to teach him a few steps. Frankly, coat racks have more rhythm than he has but at least it’s a try. Where is this all going? It’s a misfit romance; complete with personal growth and a happy ending caused by partial undress in the face of actual physical contact.
This is also a funny yet bittersweet comedy; both Lane and McDermott spout zingers that connect with each other and the audience. Naturally, we learn a bit about Asperger’s even though the DSM V no longer acknowledges it. Ever asks if Senga can be ‘“fixed” then admits he can’t so what’s the problem? Ever also points out theatre is sports for those of us with no athletic skills. I’d love to tell you all the jokes but I can’t, that’s the only one I wrote down. Lane picks up the weird little physical motions of the typical Asperger’s sufferer, and McDermott emits a great sex vibe even as she hobbles around in a full leg brace. There’s a trace of the Odd Couple here, but with a happier end game.
While the stage is mostly Senga’s apartment and Ever hides in his office far to stage left, he gets some cool projection effects and Director White makes exceptional uses of light and rear projection to slice this space into small cells that entrap both actors. But the trap is not just for comic effect; it shows how these people’s lives are ruled by past choices but might open up to new opportunities. There’s hopeful change here, and while you’re waiting for the inevitable a steady stream of quips and emotionally disconnected but oh-so-true observations keeps the audience laughing hard.
For more information on Orlando Shakespeare Theater, visit http://www.orlandoshakes.org
