By Liz Eichler
Who are you? Do you really want to know?
Zina Camblin’s new dark comedy The Guest is running at Liberty Exhibition Hall through February 8. If you’re a fan of intimate, living room-style theater Clifton Players have been known for and enjoy sharing laughs with a great group of friends, this is the show for you. The performances are OUTSTANDING, the setting is cozy, and the bar is open—what more could you ask for?
The Author of The Guest
SCPA graduate Zina Camblin—playwright (CSC’s The Wrecking Ball, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati’s Fiona the Musical) TV writer, and professor—has returned to Cincinnati to create magic with the people they love. There’s a palpable joy in this production, despite the events of the play. The Liberty Exhibition Hall (LXH) Lounge provides a relaxed and inviting space (and, as I’ve heard, hosts one of the best Monday Jazz Nights in town). According to the program, The Guest is semi-autobiographical, a story Camblin has refined over the past ten years with readings and working with some of the cast.
Solid Performances
The play is set in rural Missouri, where Marla (Carol Brammer) is preparing to meet her firstborn daughter—the one she had at 17. A bundle of nerves, Marla transforms herself with pink lipstick and a Forever 21 dress, donning them like armor. Brammer’s portrayal of Marla is layered and captivating—arguably one of her finest performances.
Marla is a woman of contradictions: she boasts about her “blessed life” while wielding her Christian faith as both sword and shield. Her sweetness and focus often give way to sharp edges and mean streaks. She has a hard candy shell, trying to hold in years of secret keeping, hurt and loss, which has fermented into meanness and anger. She’s a complicated woman, still grappling with the pain of giving up her child, and she rules her world with an iron will.
The family dynamic comes into sharp focus as we meet Marla’s husband, Gary (Kevin Crowley), a cop who had to leave the force due to an unfortunate injury. Crowley is quick with his retorts and his character is used to playing second fiddle. Fran (Caitlyn McWethy–another amazing performance, looking nothing like what I remember), her second daughter who is very pregnant and used to being ignored, comes over to meet her sister. Still living at home is Peter (Patrick Earl Phillips), a wanna-be tattoo artist. Phillips delivers a performance that is both tough and considerate.
The Story
Act One sets up the dysfunctions. When Marla’s biracial first born rings the doorbell, she welcomes her with open arms. Jessica (Angelique Archer) her is seeking her roots and wants to make a documentary about her life. Each of the characters have a moment alone with her to get to know her better. They genuinely want to have a good relationship with this new person.
Once Marla’s friend Constantine (Kyndra Jefferies) comes over, we know we’re in for more truth telling. Jefferies imbues her scenes with life and hilarity. Marla met the black Constantine when she was pregnant and Constantine, a social worker, helped arrange the adoption.
Act Two introduces Fran’s baby daddy, Donovan (Justin McCombs) and Leo the pizza delivery guy (Darnell Pierre Benjamin). Theatre lovers will appreciate Donovan’s passion for musicals, and will think of McCombs’ characterization every time they hear Phantom of the Opera.
Needless to say, things don’t go as planned. Long-held secrets emerge in ways that are both hilarious and heartbreaking. There are many plot twists and turns during Act Two.
Overall
There’s a lot to chew on in this play, but you first laugh at the zingers, and the situations. The list of controversial topics is long: abortion, adoption, Christianity, gluten, guns, homosexuality, flags, rape, racism, the South, and more. But it shows how family either deals with it or brushes things under the rug, just to have it come out the other side. At its core, The Guest is a story of self-discovery, as each character seeks meaning and purpose beyond Marla’s influence.
I highly recommend this show. The dialogue is sharp and clever, balancing sitcom-style humor with poignant realism. (Because if you don’t laugh, you cry, right?) With The Guest, Zina Camblin opens their heart and invites you to be their guest to this work in progress.
Tickets to The Guest
The Guest runs through Saturday, February 8th in the Lounge at Liberty Exhibition Hall. Remaining shows are:
- Sunday, January 26 at 2:30 pm
- Friday, January 31 at 7:30 pm
- Saturday, Feb 1 at 7:30 pm
- Sunday, Feb 2 at 2:30 pm
- Friday, Feb 7 at 7:30 pm
- Saturday, Feb 8 at 7:30 pm
Tickets can be purchased at the door, with a suggested $25, or reserve your seats HERE. There is some street parking, or a lot next door.
