Dobama Theatre’s ‘The Wolves’ scores with a well timed bicycle kick to the chops
I am not a teenage girl and for that matter I have never played soccer in my life. In my youth it was all intramural baseball with an occasional pick-up game of neighborhood football. In my freshman year in high school I actually went out for the junior varsity football team. Coach Trees (his name was Forest) had me run a post pattern. The second I caught the football I was hit in the back, right and left. I woke up later on the bench in a prone position. It was suggested that I join the band in order to earn my letter. I have been a musician ever since.
In Sarah DeLappe’s “The Wolves” now playing at Dobama Theatre we are introduced to a girl’s soccer team of the same name. They also exhibit many of the characteristics found with the four legged beasts of the wild...mainly snarling, snapping and nipping at each other.
We find the team warming up on the edge of the field with a comment as to how the boy’s team has it so much better. For one thing, the Port a Potty is NOT the boy’s changing room.
Prior to the various games are a series of overlapping dialogues between the nine teammates all vying for attention and one upgirlship. Nothing is sacred and most of the information is wrong as they discuss sex, menstrual cycles (pads vs. tampons), the Khmer Rouge and the life sentence given to Pol Pot, religious snake handling, parents (in general and specific), THE B WORD and of course sex and pregnancy (it is revealed that #7, Striker (Casey Merren) the “mean girl” underwent a Plan B medical abortion).
In fact each athlete suffers from some kind of label or secret. As in most social groups there is the smart one #11 midfield (Sarah Farris) who disparages over the misinformation she is forced to witness, the quiet loner #00 goalie (Jasmine Renee) who nervously throws up prior to each match, #8 defense (Nova Gomez) the bubbly Asian American girl who is always happy and deeply in love with the coach, #25 defense (Tabitha Raithel) who captains the team by soothing egos and resolving conflicts, #13 midfield (Raina Thiegs) who is the brash Jewish girl, #46 bench (Cate Castelli) who is the shy newcomer, #2 defense (Emily Kuntz) who with repeated concussions wears more and more complicated head gear as the night goes on and who also suffers from anorexia, and lastly #14 midfield (Abby Nagle) who brings orange slices to the warm-ups and is totally dedicated to her off field traing regimine.
In spite of the continuing internal conflict of gossip and taunting balanced with comforting, the team is a tough opponent on the field winning over tough opponents during their indoor soccer season. These are young women on the verge of defining themselves for the rest of their lives. We are privy to see the flowers blossom.
As the play progresses we find players dashing on and off the practice pitch in various configurations with updates on their progress towards the ever important nationals as well as what college scouts are there to see them play. It is late in the play when a major catastrophic event occurs that the girls realize that they need each other to make it through this calamity.
As for the cast, they are extraordinary. Not only are they able to portray complex and difficult personalities but also have physical soccer skills as well. The opening scene where everyone seems to be talking at once is brilliantly staged. This is energetic youth at its best with fresh ideas and emotions. The cast to totally in sync.
Special mention to Casey Merren who plays #7 striker. You really start out disliking her but by the end you relate to her sadness. Tabitha Raithel as #25 defense and captain has a wonderful balance of how to handle her teammates. Jasmine Renee as #00 goalie steals the show with her dramatic physical and emotional breakdown. It was also cool that she had a Manchester United equipment bag. Truth be told, everyone should get a trophy for their performance.
Leighann Delorenzo does a splendid job guiding these young ladies through this journey of the soul. Josee Coyle designs a lighting that shines a beautiful light on the cast saving a dramatic spot for near the end. Bella Brehm does the sound design that kept the voices crisp and easy to hear. Lastly, Mario Houston as the soccer coach had us convinced that this was a championship caliber team in front of us.
It is not easy being a female teenage athlete these days as there are people wishing to take this country back to the 50s. It is truly refreshing to see a play that gives notice of the trials involved in just growing up...no matter what or who you are. More than a girls night out this should be a family night out kind of experience.
Dobama Theatre’s production of “The Wolves” will be on stage at 2340 Lee Road in Cleveland Heights, Ohio through March 30, 2025. For more information and to order tickets go to http://wwwdobama.org or call (216) 932-3396.
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