Swing State

 Swing State
Minetta Lane Theatre
October 7, 2023 

Photo courtesy of Swing State

The Chicago Goodman Theatre’s production of Rebecca Gilman’s Swing State is now playing Off-Broadway at the Minetta Lane Theatre.  The play is skillfully crafted, exploring themes of trust and continuance, while addressing climate change and wildlife conservation.  It is a heartfelt story, masterfully directed by Robert Falls.

Peg (played by Mary Beth Fisher) owns a large acreage of prairieland in the Midwest.  She and her late husband dedicated their time to its preservation.  He has been dead for a year, and Peg has not been able to get past the grief.  She draws up a will, leaving the prairie to a not-for-profit foundation who will continue her and her late husband’s work.  She leave the house and the property surrounding it to Ryan (played by Bubba Weiler), who, since he was a boy, worked on the prairie with her and her husband.  When Peg finds a trunk of her late husband’s tools and his rifle missing from the barn, she calls Sheriff Kris (played by Kirsten Fitzgerald), who starts an investigation with her deputy, Dani (played by Anne E. Thompson).  Their primary suspect is Ryan, who has a previous felony conviction.  To protect him, Peg demands the investigation cease.  Sheriff Kris persists, which uncovers truths that none of them want to face. 

Bubba Weiler & Mary Beth Fisher
Photo courtesy of Swing State

The cast is excellent, creating truthful relationships that are vital to the telling of this story.  Mary Beth Fisher and Bubba Weiler have a genuine mother/son connection as Peg and Ryan, even though their characters are not blood related.  It is this bond that engages the audience and pushes the action forward.  It is honest and vibrant from the start of the play, and deepens as the plot progresses.  

Bubba Weiler also creates a truthful connection with Anne E. Thompson as Dani.  Their scene grows to the point of no return.  Their characters open and admit truths that propel the action to its climax.  Its pace shifts and quickens as the relationship flourishes.  It is magnificently written, skillfully directed, and beautifully performed. 

Anne E. Thompson, Kirsten Fitzgerald, & Mary Beth Fisher
Photo courtesy of Swing State

Kirsten Fitzgerald portrays Sheriff Kris with control, confidence, and determination.  She plays the antagonist throughout the story, pushing everyone’s buttons and sending all points of view in the opposite direction.  Without this the story would not progress successfully, and Ms. Fitgerald pulls it off beautifully.  

Ms. Gilman has written a stunning play.  She provides this skilled cast with a rich text and lush backstories to delve into, rendering them outstanding performances.  Director Robert Falls brings it all together in a striking and poignant production.  

Swing State has been extended through October 28.  Get a ticket before it closes. 

Domenick Danza