The News-Gazette review of "Parasite Drag"

One knows not how to react to such a review as Patricia Stiller's
below. I may have to break down and see the play myself to provide
something less simultaneously adulatory and lacking.

Cast superb, but story is star of `Parasite Drag'
by Patricia Stiller
I think everyone has at least one moment in their lives that they hold
on to, bragging whenever possible to whomever might listen, "Hey, I
was there, man. " Being fortunate enough to attend the premiere
performance of Mark Roberts' new play "Parasite Drag" has become that
moment for me.
Roberts, the playwright in residence for the Celebration Company at
the Station Theatre in Urbana, adds to his previous hometown debuts,
"Welcome to Tolono," and "Rantoul and Die," with this profound and
intelligent tragicomedy that exposes one family's dysfunction from the
varying recollections of two brothers, Ronnie and Gene, who have
bitterly reunited to say goodbye to their dying sister.
Under the insightful eye of director Kay Holley, this intimate
portrayal of familial pain and survival stars Gary Ambler as the
younger brother Gene, a devout Christian who hides behind his faith in
order to avoid the realities of his life, both past and present.
Ambler's layered performance is courageous, vulnerable and well-paced.
Anne Shapland Kearns plays his wife Joellen, painting a very honest
portrait of an empty woman. Heart-wrenching.
Joi Hoffsommer plays Susie, the free-spirited wife of older brother
Ronnie. Hoffsommer takes what could have been a superfluous character
and gives her an impressive dimension that is irresistible.
And author Roberts plays Ronnie with brutal reality in a performance
that takes your breath away.
This brilliant production hits every mark in a perfect package that
seamlessly connects the necessary components.
Set designer David Harwell fills the intimate playing space with a
dynamic angular set, giving just a hint that things in this chunk of
suburbia are slightly askew.
Sound designer David Butler employs an inspired soundtrack, featuring
the wisely selected music of the 1970s' greatest musical philosophers,
each number masterfully carrying us through from one thought or
emotion to the next.
But the true star of the evening was the story itself, an absolute
masterpiece. And hey, I was there, man!
This production is intended for mature audiences only.
If you go
What: "Parasite Drag," an original play by Mark
Roberts.
Where: The Station Theatre, 223 N. Broadway Ave.,
U.
Creative team: Director, Kay Bohannon Holley. Assistant director, Mike
Harvey. Set designer, David Harwell. Sound designer, David Butler.
Cast: Mark Roberts, Gary Ambler, Joi Hoffsommer and Anne Shapland Kearns.
Remaining performances: 8 p.m. today, Sunday, May 15-20 and 23-26.
Tickets: $15 each; call 384-4000 to make reservations.
Running time: 120 minutes, including one 20-minute intermission.