By Liz Eichler
Sarah DeLappe’s The Wolves, a play about a girls soccer team, has been a favorite for performance groups ever since it first took the stage in 2016. Now it is NKU SOTA’s turn to eavesdrop on the teenagers and hear their joys, fears, and thoughts of the world they are inheriting.
The Wolves is a Soccer Team
The Wolves is set in an indoor soccer practice pitch “somewhere in suburban America.” In this version, the pitch is in between the two seating galleries, like a gym. You may sit on either — there is no home team or visitors!
There are six scenes in this 90-minute show. Each forms a pastiche of high school life. In their tiny microcosm, big things enter–and small things become big. The ladies are concerned about zits, periods, homework and soccer. But they also debate the ethics of Khmer Rouge an Cambodian genocide, an assignment many are addressing in class–all while casually going through their stretches. They contemplate life and death, stress and anxiety, significant others, and other issues which pierce their suburban bubble.
Each Performer Shows Great Skill
It takes a bit to figure out what the story is about, but eventually the personalities of the girls come out –and their personal battles. And they each have personal battles, evident as the story unfolds.
The 10 performers include: Katie Chambers (#11), Kate Sexton (#25), Ella Prather (#13), Emma Kolstedt (#46), Anna Berry (#2), Audrey Dant (#7), Kiley Ernst (#14), Yolee Louis (#8), Hades Whalen (#00), Samantha Hacker (Soccer Mom).
All the girls run through drills through most of the show. Emma Kolstedt, as #46, demonstrates the most amazing ball handling skills, and is considered the new girl, the outsider trying to fit into this team which has been doing soccer together since they were small. The actress is 100% believable in both her awkwardness and soccer skills.
Also a standout as #7 is Audrey Dant, as the rough, more streetwise and confrontational player. They are led by #25, Kate Sexton, who takes them through their drills, and reminds them that teamwork makes the dream work. Hades Whalen, #00, has her own standout scene as she confronts her demons. All of the ladies manage the balls and the lines well.
Directed as a Slice of Life
There is a focus on verisimilitude in the direction as it shows us a “slice of life” or a very real version of high school. It makes us, the audience, feel as we are eavesdropping on these ladies, and think back to our own high school days. As they discuss, they vacillate between adulthood and childhood, finding joy and nostalgia in orange slices. There is little forced “theatricality.” Because of the gym gallery set up, audiences do see backs of performers a lot, and it works.
Most noticeable in the first two scenes, the hollow stage platform competes with the girls voices as they run up and down the field. It takes a bit to figure out who to focus on, and find the thread of the story. The purple team costumes stand out against the happy green astroturf and bright white goal and balls. Each girl has a different style or color of cleat. Their braid game is fierce. The lighting makes subtly changes throughout, evoking an indoor soccer field.
Overall
Overall, this play shows, that the kids are alright. No matter what happens during their high school soccer careers, community heals. And it is worthwhile to have others join your community.
Get Tickets to The Wolves
The Wolves runs through November 3 at the Aronoff’s Fifth Third Theatre, due to the construction at NKU’s performance spaces. However, the musical Anything Goes is ready to set sail in the newly renovated Corbett Theatre November 11 through November 23. Buy tickets to both shows HERE.
