Jacuzzi

By Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen

Developed by Oliver Butler

Made by the Debate Society

Directed by Matt Anderson

Starring: Clint Allen (Robert), Darius Dotch* (Erik), Paul LaNave (Bo), and Sara Marsh* (Helene)

Voiceover: Mark Benninghofen and Beth Chaplin

Presented at 450 Main Street North in Stillwater, MN

Creative Team: Ashley Raper* (Stage Manager), Mary Shabatura (Resident Lighting Designer), Aaron Newman (Sound Designer), Mel Day (Costume Designer), Michael James (Technical & Design Consultant), Crist Ballas (SFX Makeup), Sara Marsh (Artistic Director & Producer)

Production Photos: Bryce Johnson

This production is dedicated to Pamela Espeland.

"Dark & Stormy’s production places the titular tub at the center of the action. Within and around it swirl four note-perfect performances, unspooling an intriguing mystery over a crisp and creepy intermission-less 90 minutes. Under Matt Anderson’s detail-savvy direction, it might be the ideal antidote to all those seasonal sweets on other stages.

Together, they create a gathering storm of a show, an ideal convergence of excellent performances and a mystery that rises to a roiling boil."

— Rob Hubbard, Pioneer Press

"Director Matt Anderson skillfully guides the interactions among the four [actors], whose pairings-off and glances reveal their power dynamic. There are class issues at play, with Helene and Erik treated like servants even though they're the smartest people in this room. (One compelling irony of "Jacuzzi" is that we instantly believe the father and son are who they say they are because they're so awful but we're unsure of Helene and Erik.)

...I was most interested in Helene and Erik...If this is an us-vs.-them play, Helene and Erik are the 'us,' which is uncomfortable since they also seem to be grifters...you could think of it as being about what it takes to survive if you're not part of the wealthy 'one percent.'"

— Chris Hewitt, Star Tribune

"Director Matt Anderson keeps the tone pretty light and humorous, with some dark creepy elements as we wonder just what "Helene" and "Erik" are up to. In the up-close-and-personal intimate setting, everyone in this excellent four-person cast is very natural and real.

"It feels wonderful to welcome back another #TCTheater, especially Dark & Stormy, which fills the niche of small cast, one act, intense, dark, sometimes funny plays."

— Jill Schafer, Cherry and Spoon

"Helene and Derrick remain enigmas, and the performances by Sara Marsh and Darius Dotch, respectively, make these characters appealing even as we suspect them of having done, or planning to do, foul, possibly horrible deeds. Marsh is especially slick with deadpan responses...while Dotch uses a veneer of steadiness.

Paul LaNave is terrific as Bo, a tortured adolescent in the body of a 26-year-old man. LaNave milks comedy out of his scorn for his father and his humiliated sense of himself. Bo clearly needs to grow up [but] LaNave manages to draw sympathy for his character. Part of the credit for that goes to Clint Allen, as Robert, the epitome of a man who prides himself as being a progressive, nurturing father while cluelessly shredding his son's self-esteem."

— Arthur Dorman, Talkin’ Broadway

"Director Matt Anderson and Artistic Director Sara Marsh have assembled a stellar cast for this intriguing play...you see every nuance of facial expression, goosebumps, and subtle looks between characters.

The sound effects and voiceovers (Mark Benninghofen & Beth Chaplin) from the answering machine (Sound Design by Aaron Newman) are great and add to the suspense and creating the atmosphere of this play. The bright costumes (by Mel Day) put you right into the 1990’s, as well as the decor, music, and technology, like the all-in-one TV/VCR.

Overall, this was a delightful evening of theater. Paul [Thureen] and Hannah [Bos] have written a smart script that really comes to life with this stellar team."

— Mary Aalgaard, Play off the Page

"Dark & Stormy is back and it’s just a short trip to Stillwater to see their newest production of JACUZZI. The strong ensemble features Darius Dotch, Clint Allen, Paul LaNave, and Sara Marsh. The short-handed communication between the con artist duo of Marsh and Dotch was subtle yet incredibly significant. There is no exposition about how they know each other or how they ended up in this Colorado cabin but with their chemistry it’s not needed.

This 90 minute dark comedy will keep you guessing and thoroughly entertain you."

— Erica Skarohlid, Lettered in Theatre

*Member, Actors’ Equity Association