Ensemble Theater’s I Need That by Theresa Rebeck is a play about stuff. When cited by the health department for hoarding, Sam must examine his life’s worth by learning to let go of his prized possessions. Accompanied by his daughter Amelia and his best friend and neighbor, Foster, Sam must reconcile his loneliness and his memories by sorting through a lifetime of clutter. The heartwarming, funny, and surprisingly emotional play touches on aging, mental illness, dementia, grief, and the mountains of junk we carry with us.
Impressive Cast
I Need That stars an impressive three person cast featuring David Wohl as Sam, Maggie Lou Rader as Ameila, and Kenneth Early as Foster. Wohl’s portrayal of the curmudgeonly old hoarder is balanced by a sense of familial likeability. The character is grumpy but Wohl’s approach brings a kindness and gentleness to the role that draws sympathy to the character. Maggie Lou Rader’s portrayal of Amelia brings layers of love, responsibility, and frustration as she struggles to help her father avoid eviction while also seeking to hold on to memories of her childhood. Kenneth Early brings explosive energy to the character of Foster adding complexity to the relationships on stage. Early’s portrayal shines in two scenes in particular, the first in a racially charged monologue about the origins of a guitar, and the second in an act of redemption that takes place in the latter half of the play.
Skillful Production
The set itself is a character in its own right with scenic and lighting design by Brian C. Mehring. The mountains of trash carry a weight of their own and remain omnipresent throughout the play. Properties Curator Shannon Rae Lutz is to be commended for the sheer amount of stuff featured as part of the scenic design. More impressive, are the vintage items such as board games and magazines that help to create a sense of nostalgia among set dressing that is quite literally piled to the rafters. Fitz Patton’s sound design helps create an immersive environment including what feels like a real life montage scene when the characters begin cleaning up their environment.
Overall, A Moving Story About Letting Go
At times, the play can feel a bit monologue heavy with lengthy stories about cherished items taking the central focus. The plays themes about loneliness, grief, and dementia are more subtle demonstrating how clutter can often disguise what’s lying underneath.
This play hit home for me. I would be remiss not to mention that my maternal grandmother was a hoarder and my paternal grandmother suffered from dementia. My direct connection to these themes combined with Wohl’s gentle portrayal of Sam caused me to become emotional during the later scenes of the play which I wasn’t fully expecting.
Ensemble Theater continues to be a gem in the crown of Queen City’s theatre scene. Skillful productions with high artistic quality create moments that resonate with audiences and leave a lasting impression. As quoted from the play, “Things don’t give your life meaning, people do.” A testament to its name, Ensemble Theater shines in bringing personal stories to the stage.
Tickets to I Need That
I Need That by Theresa Rebeck runs February 8th through March 2nd at Ensemble Theater. Purchase tickets online at www.ensemblecincinnati.org or call the Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati Box Office at (513) 421-3555.
