Review: If You Split a Second (Pegasus Players)

Review: If You Split a Second (Pegasus Players)

If You Split a Second

Written by Dana Lynn Formby
Directed by Ilesa Duncan
Pegasus Players Theatre, 4520 N. Beacon (map)
thru June 2 | tickets: $15-$25   | more info

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World premiere intrigues but lacks depth

Pegasus Players presents

If You Split a Second

Review by Katy Walsh

Playwright Dana Lynn Formby unveils her newest project. A split-second decision changes a man’s life forever. He goes to prison and his life continues without him. The premise fascinates. Formby has written the story to be primarily narrated by the incarcerated Mick played by Dylan McGorty. The effect of Mick’s actions is illustrated through the lives of six characters performed by two actors. Besides Mick, McGorty plays Patrick the brother and John, a man whose own split-second decision binds him to the family. Stephanie Chavara plays Jane the wife, Geneva the daughter and Amber the sister. Under the fluid direction of Ilesa Duncan, McGorty and Chavara morph in and out

of characters within seconds. The orchestration is an ever-flowing story. In one of the final scenes, there is a poignant montage performed by McGorty and Chavara. It’s a collection of all the play’s most important moments that made us arrive at the conclusion. It’s a breathtaking flashback dance.

Formby has written the play with a series of monologues performed by both actors. As Mick, McGorty is volatile. His raging delivery interferes with the audience receiving critical information. We are so overwhelmed in his intense fury that we aren’t focused on his words. In his emotional rants, it’s easy to get confused and miss a button or tattoo or crime. The actors do an impressive job defining each of their three roles. We always know who is in the room. We just don’t always know who they are. A character will make choices without supporting explanation. Why did she date him? Why did she marry him? Why didn’t she tell him earlier? These are questions that go unanswered for all three females. I’m intrigued by Formby’s story and I want to understand more of it.

Scenic Designer Jacqueline Penrod creates a stark space that effectively severs human whimsy. The action unfolds on a bare stage. The backdrop is these flesh-colored folds of fabric torn by this mirror-looking shard that then jets out into a platform. The platform serves as a bed and dressing room for seamless transitions. The visual provides the room for a spiraling fifteen years of family drama.

I liked this show but I didn’t love it. If You Split a Second could be timeless with a little more depth in character.

Rating: ★★½

If You Split a Second continues through June 2nd at Pegasus Players Theatre, 4520 N. Beacon (map), with performances Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays 3pm. Tickets are $15-$25, and are available by phone (866-811-4111) or online through OvationTix.com (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information at PegasusPlayers.org. (Running time: 2 hours, includes an intermission)