Adirondack Chair Circle Review: Engaging But Predictable

“Adirondack Chair Circle,” a new play by Stephanie Alison Walker, presents a layered narrative about a suburban mother grappling with her child’s nonbinary identity. The play explores how this overwhelmed mother seeks support in unfamiliar circles, reflecting on her struggle with acceptance. Directed by Pam MacKinnon, Steppenwolf Theatre Company introduces a premiere that opts for moral satire over a more daring exploration of complex themes. Katrina Lenk, cast in the lead role, captivates with a richly expressive performance, portraying the mother’s inner turmoil.

This production, however, conforms to the viewpoints of its primary audience instead of challenging them. A tradition at Steppenwolf was offering audiences thought-provoking experiences, where liberal elites left deeply impacted by the narratives presented. Past productions by Martha Lavey and Bruce Norris showcased audiences confronting provocative themes and ideas.

“Adirondack Chair Circle” positions itself as a debate on different perspectives surrounding book censorship, involving three conservative mothers concerned about the children’s reading material. Among them, Sadieh Rifai plays Libby, an outspoken character who frequently uses concerning terms; Katrina Lenk’s Banna finds herself caught in the middle, and Wendy Mateo’s Winona plays a more amiable role.

The play contrasts conservative divisions with a singular liberal character, played by Caroline Neff, advocating for librarians and educators to make decisions regarding literature. This imbalance fails to create a truly fair discussion between ideological divides and overlooks significant liberal disagreements. Amid a bitter campaign to elect members of the Chicago school board, significant political undertones are present but underexplored.

Despite its shortcomings, “Adirondack Chair Circle” contains entertaining moments, notably from David Darrow’s comedic portrayal of a crow. The humorous aspects are supported by performances that, while enjoyable, often lack subtlety. MacKinnon effectively utilizes the in-the-round theater setup to enhance the comedic elements of the play.

While moral or political narratives are welcome in theater, constructing satire demands challenging one’s perspectives to incite genuine dramatic intrigue. Learning from the works of Richard Greenberg, who bestowed powerful dialogue on characters with whom he disagreed, “Adirondack Chair Circle” could benefit from such intricate character speech.

Chris Jones can be reached for constructive critiques at [email protected]. The play runs until December 13 at Steppenwolf’s Ensemble Theater. With a runtime of 2 hours and 30 minutes, tickets are available from $20 to $167.50 via 312-335-1650 or steppenwolf.org.