In Let’s Fight and Say We Didn’t, we witness a family at the breaking point. This student-run production from Anne Arundel Community College tackles mental health, child abuse, and the legacy of trauma.
Amber (Amanda Lynn Matousek) would never visit her father Everett (Jack Stone) unless she had to. She left for college as soon as she could and has only looked back to check on her younger sister Jean (Kendra Dolinka). Amber comes home at Jean’s urging. Their father has had what he calls an accident, albeit an accident accompanied by a note.
[adsanity_rotating align=”aligncenter” time=”10″ group_id=”1455″ /]
Everett employs guilt trips and bullying to manipulate his daughters. At times, he resorts to physical violence to maintain control. He berates Amber for not visiting more often and pressures Jean to hand over her waitressing tips. Everett doesn’t remember the past the way his daughters do. When they describe abuses he committed, he can’t recollect them.
Amber tries to convince her father to get help, but he resists suggestions of counseling and instead follows the advice of Howard, the leader of a cult-like group. When Everett thinks moving to Texas with Howard is the answer he’s seeking, Amber and Jean must decide if this family can be salvaged or if it’s time to only save themselves.
Let’s Fight and Say We Didn’t closes July 28, 2019 at Capital Fringe Festival 2019.
Details and tickets
The performances were uneven, but each actor had fine moments. Stone was menacing as Everett, alternating between aggression and neediness. Matousek’s Amber was compelling. Her confrontations of her father were particularly moving.
More clues as to Everett’s backstory might have given us better insight into his experience and the choices he continued to make. As well, a deeper exploration into the struggle facing Amber and Jean now, as their own history is acknowledged, could have illuminated that legacy of trauma.
Let’s Fight and Say We Didn’t by Alec William Moyes; director: Sarah Valerien.cast: Jack Stone (Everett), Amanda Lynn Matousek (Amber), Kendra Dolinka (Jean); Presented at the Capital Fringe Festival 2019 . Reviewed by Michelle Rago.
You must be logged in to post a comment.