Some may be ready to head back to school but for the staff of Camp Indigo Woods, summer is still in full swing.
These counselors struggling to mold young minds amid outside dangers shine in “The Grown-Ups,” a dark comedy opening this week at The Underground at Ovation Theatre.
Director Savanna May said she was immediately captivated by the play from her first reading.
“I was so drawn to the complex themes that are so relevant and relatable,” she wrote in an email.
Ready for her directorial debut, May said she “essentially doom-scrolled publishing companies to find the right show,” then analyzed the script forward and backward, prepared a presentation and pitched it to Ovation.
Since this is the first time this show has been done in Bakersfield, May is excited to introduce the community to such a unique piece.
Taking place at sleepaway camp, this dark comedy unfolds around a campfire, where counselors Aidan (Nolan Long), Cassie (Bri Deras), Becca (Mackenzie Flores), Lukas (Mathieu Hill) and Maeve (Lily May) gather to unwind after the children have been put to bed.
Amid telling scary stories, sneaking beers and making s’mores, the quintet aims to have the best summer ever even as they monitor a threat that moves closer to the camp.
May said, “The play follows themes of the responsibilities of becoming an adult, the impact of social media, and how to navigate a world that seems to be collapsing right before our eyes.”
For its original staging, in summer 2021, playwrights Skylar Fox and Simon Henriques held the show in their Brooklyn backyard around a real campfire with the audience.
May felt like this intimate and immersive experience would be a perfect fit for the black box stage of Ovation’s Underground.
“What I love about The Underground is that even though it’s still in the early stages, it has already made an impact on the theatre community,” she said. “Of course we all love a big musical, but we also crave unique plays! We want to see the ‘weird’ and niche pieces!”
To make this production as immersive as possible, May arranged the seating platforms on stage with the actors. The set also includes trees surrounding the audience to make them feel like they are really in the woods with these characters.
The director said she is impressed by her cast including special moments like one between Deras and Flores, which “captures the complexity of female friendships, the struggle of just wanting to fit in, and how sometimes it can be hard to accept change and/or release control” and a final monologue by Long.
She said, “I don’t want to spoil too much because it really is such an experience to witness, but I will say there is a fourth wall break that encourages the audience to close their eyes and reflect.”
May looks forward to audiences taking part in the fun, unique, spooky, and fun immersive experience that captures feelings of nostalgia, fear, acceptance, anxiety and silliness all rolled up into one.
“I would love for the audience to feel after watching this show is to know that they are not alone in all of the chaos this world brings; also, that change is inevitable, and often needed! I, for one, am someone who really struggles with change and has felt so much chaos in my life; and yet, theatre is something that has always been a constant, and my safe space.
“I can’t wait to see you all at Camp Indigo Woods!”
The show runs at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1, 7 and 8 with matinees at 2 p.m. Aug. 2 and 9 at the theater, 1622 19th St. Understudies Sebastian Richardson, Naeja Williams and Kailey Keeten will perform on Aug. 7.
Admission is $27 (includes fee). Purchase tickets at theovationtheatre.com or by calling 661-489-4601.
‘The Grown-Ups’ When: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1, 7 and 8; 2 p.m. Aug. 2 and 9 Where: The Underground at The Ovation Theatre, 1622 19th St. Admission: $27 (includes fee); tickets at theovationtheatre.com or 661-489-4601
‘The Grown-Ups’ When: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1, 7 and 8; 2 p.m. Aug. 2 and 9 Where: The Underground at The Ovation Theatre, 1622 19th St. Admission: $27 (includes fee); tickets at theovationtheatre.com or 661-489-4601 {related_content_uuid}eabc093c-6caa-43fa-adb9-a2d1a7d4f270{/related_content_uuid}