![\"Lester](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/sut-l-stage-swingstate2.jpg\")
Lester Isariuz as Ryan, left, and Jenna Renee Pekny as Dani in OnStage Playhouse\u2019s \u201cSwing State.\u201d (Salomon Maya)<\/p>\nIn Rebecca Gilman\u2019s 2022 play \u201cSwing State,\u201d a grief-stricken widow mourns the loss of the insect, plant and animal species that once thrived on her 48 acres of grassland in the American heartland.<\/p>\n
But the declining population of sparrows, seeds, butterflies and wildflowers that Peg has long treasured are just part of the increasingly bleak situation in her rural Wisconsin community.<\/p>\n
Herbicides are poisoning the groundwater, young people are overdosing on fentanyl-laced drugs, good jobs are scarce and Peg\u2019s late husband could\u2019ve survived his heart attack if he\u2019d had better healthcare.<\/p>\n
The dark 95-minute play made its San Diego premiere over the weekend at OnStage Playhouse in Chula Vista.<\/p>\n
Staged by director James P. Darvas on an elaborately detailed farmhouse set designed by Patrick Mason, \u201cSwing State\u201d is a poignant human drama about life in hard times.<\/p>\n
American politics are never discussed in the play (except for one brief mention of Donald Trump\u2019s name). But \u201cSwing State\u201d is a story about the decline of the American dream and this nation\u2019s poor stewardship of its natural resources.<\/p>\n
Still, it\u2019s not a play without hope.<\/p>\n
Lester Isariuz as Ryan, left, and Jenna Renee Pekny as Dani in OnStage Playhouse\u2019s \u201cSwing State.\u201d (Salomon Maya)<\/p>\n
Peg\u2019s neighbor Ryan, a troubled young man recently released from jail, has become like a surrogate son to the childless Peg. He visits her often to check in and help her manage her farm work. In return, she cooks for him and gently talks him through his periodic panic attacks.<\/p>\n
When Peg starts talking to Ryan about writing her will and giving away her land, he worries that she may be struggling from depression. Then, when a box of farm tools and and an old rifle go missing from Peg\u2019s property, local law enforcement gets involved and Ryan becomes the chief suspect.<\/p>\n
Jennifer Scibetta gives an authentic, understated performance as Peg, and her relaxed demeanor contrasts well with Lester Isariuz\u2019s manic, always-in-motion performance as Ryan.<\/p>\n
Jenna Renee Pekny give a warm and sweet performance as Dani, a well-meaning young woman who finds new purpose as the new deputy in the town\u2019s sheriff\u2019s department.<\/p>\n
DeNae Steele plays Kris, the hair trigger-tempered sheriff, whose son overdosed on pills she believes Ryan supplied. Steele brings fiery energy to the play, but her excessively loud and comic delivery doesn\u2019t match the tone of the other actors onstage.<\/p>\n
Jaden Guerrero designed sound, Ginger Chody designed lighting and Brad Dubois designed costumes.<\/p>\n
\u201cSwing State\u201d includes an act of violence, but they play doesn\u2019t end the way you might expect. Instead, there\u2019s a denouement of clarity, community, healing and hope.<\/p>\n
\u2018Swing State\u2019<\/p>\n
When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 5 p.m. Sundays. Through Feb. 1<\/p>\n
Where: OnStage Playhouse, 291 Third Ave., Chula Vista<\/p>\n
Tickets: $15-$25<\/p>\n
Phone: 619-422-7787<\/p>\n