By Andy Dillehay
The Flick, Nebraska Repertory Theatre, February 29, 2024
Nebraska Repertory Theatre’s production of The Flick by Annie Baker, is a compelling exploration of the mundane, yet complex, lives of Avery, Rose, and Sam, employees of a rundown movie theater in Massachusetts. Set against the backdrop of the digital age, the play cleverly unveils the everyday struggles and strained relationships that characterize modern life.
The brilliance of Annie Baker’s script lies in its ability to capture the essence of superficial relationships and the discomfort that arises when personal boundaries are pushed. As Avery, Rose, and Sam navigate through their day-to-day lives at The Flick, connections are made through the experience of work-related woes. As the story develops, the portrayal of the characters’ circumstances, whether it’s unfulfilled aspirations or the dissatisfaction of their current situations, are both poignant and relatable.
With the scenes playing out in real time, there is an added layer of authenticity. The honesty of watching actors perform monotonous tasks within this imaginary place allows for a certain kind of magic to happen. From the very beginning, the healthy silences that permeate the space serve as a powerful tactic to suspend the audience in the awkwardness of the characters’ interactions. The unwritten parts of the play are resonant, forcing the audience to confront their own experiences with superficial relationships. The unspoken tension between the characters is palpable.
The Flick particularly strikes a chord with those who have worked in the service industry, as it masterfully encapsulates the bond stemming from the shared struggles of working for an unsympathetic boss for meager wages. This commonality creates a relatable thread that binds the characters together. However, the broader theme of yearning for connection, while maintaining an aversion to closeness, is something we can all relate to in today’s current climate.
Director Jamie Bullins has assembled a capable cast, navigating the delicate balance between realism and restraint. As the actors approached the precipice of raw emotion, their ability to redirect highlighted the characters’ (and society’s) struggles with intimacy. This deliberate choice kept the audience engaged, leaving a lingering sense of unspoken desires and frustrations.
Mekhi Mitchell gives an astounding performance as Avery, the meek new employee. Mitchell was in complete control throughout the production. He brought an immense amount of depth and vulnerability to the character. Even through the moments of superficiality, you could still sense the profound emotions below the surface. While all of the actors do a fine job, Mitchell exists on another plane.
As the schlubby Sam, Luke Stursma perfectly embodies what one would expect of a 30-something burnout working in a rundown movie theater. Stursma finds a nuanced harmony between leaning into the stereotype and uncovering an unexpected sensitivity. Making her stage debut, Sofia Drelicharz delivers promising efforts as the sardonic, yet guarded, Rose. Drelicharz is both grounded and relatable. Though he’s not on stage much, Jackson Wells brought levity and laughs with his performance.
The creative and production team did an exceptional job in creating the world for these characters to exist in. With the thrust stage setting, the audience is treated to a voyeuristic view. The details of the worn seats, sticky floors, and smudged windows, enhance the realism that grounds this production. One can only imagine the stories those seats and floors could tell! And whether it was deliberate or not, the lackadaisical throwing of popcorn and trash by the crew during scene transitions was a perfect touch.
Running at about two-hours and forty-minutes, The Flick offers a thought-provoking commentary on the impact of the digital age on human relationships. The Nebraska Repertory Theatre executes a production that resonates with authenticity and leaves the audience reflecting on their own connections.
*CONTENT WARNING: This production contains mature themes and language. The production also has short moments of flashing lights from a projector.
If you go: The Flick runs February 29 to March 9, 2024. Ticket information can be found at https://nebraskarep.org
Andy Dillehay is an artist from Lincoln, Nebraska. Through exploring a variety of mediums, Andy shares his love of storytelling.
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