Oregon Children’s Theatre’s “Good Kids” : Review
When “Good Kids” opens, we know that something bad has happened. Something that no one is quite prepared to talk about, and yet everyone is talking about it. As the play progresses it becomes very clear what has everyone so uncomfortable, so upset, and so disturbed.
Rape.
The show, recommended for kids 14 and up, takes a tragic, complicated look at sexual assault, and includes graphic language, discussions of drinking and sex, and depictions of bullying. Set in a Midwest high school full of familiar stereotypes, everyone can see themselves in the cast: the jocks, the bookworm, the kid who doesn’t fit in, the party girl, the new girl, the mean girl, the girl from the wrong side of town. They’re all good kids, but when alcohol and social media combine, they make decisions that leave none of them entirely blameless and many of them changed forever.
The Oregon Children’s Theater, Young Professionals studio theater was filled with mostly adults and a few teens on opening night. Representatives from the Coalition for Consent Education handed out flyers for an upcoming event at the door. And before the show, a cast member pointed out the exits in case the subject matter was too difficult and we needed to leave.
The atmosphere was, to say the least, charged.
What happened on the night Chloe got passed-out drunk, raped and left in the basement of a stranger’s home plays out through non-linear flashbacks with repeated scenes from multiple perspectives. But, while it’s true that one event can be viewed many different ways, no amount of perspectives change the fact that Chloe was assaulted, photos and video were taken, and before she even woke up, everyone knew what had happened.
While the rape, itself, was not acted out on stage, there was an eerie feel in the almost slow-motion physicality of the actors as they acted out the events leading up to it. The careful way they handled the actor portraying Chloe seemed to shine an even harsher light on the contrasting reality of assault. One of the more gutting and difficult parts of the play was an audio recording from a video of the rape. (The video is suggested, not shown).
The YPS actors were polished, professional, and moved through the scenes seamlessly so that nothing took away from the gripping subject matter or their fantastic performances. The 90-minute, no -intermission show seemed only half as long—so much so, that I was actually surprised when the actors took their bow.
Many teens would benefit from seeing the production of Good Kids, though admittedly, many might have a hard time with it. If you take your kids to this play, be prepared to have meaningful discussions on teen drinking, sex, and consent. Most important, however, will be the discussions about which “good kid” they want to be and how they can stand up and advocate in the moment, before there’s no going back.
Good Kids runs from April 12-28 at the YP Studio Theater at 1939 NW Sandy Blvd.
Tickets are $12 each and available at https://www.octc.org/good-kids
Afton Nelson is a Portland parent and freelancer who has written about kids and families in the Pacific Northwest since 2008. Her passion for the beauty, food and uniqueness of this area is at the heart of everything she writes. In addition, Afton provides content and creative writing services for clients of all sizes. Learn more about her at www.aftonnelson.com.