Post Type – Shows I've Seen

@showsiveseen @issayorkchop's "Covenant" #chilling #thriller #play at #ArtsWest. Felicia Loud's portrayals are always a joy to witness. Good storytelling w/ a totally unexpected twist at the end that left me replaying the previous scenes in my head. Would be fascinating to rewatch knowing the ending. In the spirit of #ValentinesDay weekend, how far would you go for love? Review: showsiveseen.com/11635 Photos: John McLellan Director: @Nicholas Bernard Stage Mgr: Kimberly Le #showsiveseen #theatre ♬ Abracadabra – Lady Gaga

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): York Walker’s Covenant chilling thriller play at ArtsWest. Felicia Loud’s portrayals are always a joy to witness. Good storytelling w/ a totally unexpected twist at the end that left me replaying the previous scenes in my head. Would be fascinating to rewatch knowing the ending. In the spirit of Valentines Day weekend, how far would you go for love?

Recommendation:
See it if you’re comfortable with stories about Faustian bargains and demon possession.

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? Maybe

Mainstream Appeal: Medium

If A Random Stranger Asked What Show They Should See This Weekend, Would I Mention This Production? Probably

My Synopsis (No Spoilers): A charismatic, prodigal musician returns to his rural hometown, only to be followed by a serious of mysterious events.

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: When a struggling guitarist returns to his small Georgia town a blues star, rumors begin swirling that he may have made a deal with the devil to attain his musical genius. Before long, however, it becomes clear he’s not the only one with a secret. A mythic and suspenseful new play that delivers one devilish twist after another, York Walker’s COVENANT explores the power of belief and the thin line between rumor and truth.

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) or Dynamic Set: Mostly static

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes, but it was more dialogue than action

Union Actors: 1

Total Actors: 5

Perceived Pace of the Show: Slow in the beginning but eventually picked up to medium speed

Was there an intermission? No

Length (Including Any Intermission): 100 minutes

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

Twist (No Spoilers): The twist at the end was completely unexpected (maybe even left field) and had me second guessing how I initially perceived the entire story. So many elements presented early in the play clicked after the revelation. I loved how the twist tied back to the strong opening line hook, “Everybody’s got a secret.” It would be fascinating to rewatch and reevaluate the characters’ motivations knowing the ending.
Vibes: This production masterfully evoked a sense of unease, delivering a chilling thriller with an eerie energy that would have been perfect for a Halloween season.
Religious Superstitious Themes: Part of the unease stemmed from my conservative Christian upbringing, where the religious superstitious themes would have been considered blasphemous sacrilege entertaining the occult and devil. The play’s juxtaposition of a guitar concert against the sacrament scene underscored the tension between these opposing forces. Elements such as Faustian bargains (aka “deal with the devil”), demonic possession, an upside-down cross, and quoting Bible verses all contributed to this unsettling atmosphere. The imagery reminded me of how Lady Gaga beautifully and sacrilegiously incorporates mystical gothic Catholic themes in her music and videos. A good example would be the hooded, mysterious monk-like stagehands, which were a nice touch.
Storytelling: Each character took center stage and shared a story that illuminated their motivations while holding a lantern as eerie sound effects played in the background. These well-written and well-executed monologues effectively deepened each character.
Music: Although this was a play, occasional music added an extra layer to the performance. Kalia Towers (as Ruthie) and Deja Culver (as Violet) both sang a cappella. Donovan Mahannah (as Johnny) played guitar and sang once or twice.
Felicia Loud: I always enjoy Felicia Loud’s portrayal of god-fearing church lady personas. This typecasting has served her brilliantly in productions like The Amen Corner and Black Nativity. However, she takes on a darker role in this play, channeling a more menacing pious maternal figure like the mother in the cult classic film Carrie.