Akron theater misfires with 'Cagelove'

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by April Helms

Special Products Editor

A young couple about to be married find themselves reexamining their relationship after the young woman is raped, in "Cagelove," which opened at The Bang and The Clatter in Akron on April 25.

Katie, played by Rachel Lones, and Sam, played by Record Publishing Co.'s Scott Shriner, share a small apartment together. They find their lives and wedding plans come to an abrupt halt after Katie is brutally raped.

Complicating matters is Katie's sister Ellen, played by Dawn Youngs. Ellen offers to "help," but it soon becomes apparent she has ulterior motives in wanting to come by all the time. Also, Sam becomes more and more obsessed with what happened after past things about Katie and her attacker start coming to light.

The premise is an intriguing one, but one that could have been handled better. I could buy a lot of it -- the wicked sister, Katie's being drawn to her past, even Sam's growing paranoia. But the ending wrapped up things in a way that not only stretched credibility to the breaking point but was also needlessly offensive.

Ticket and show information

"Cagelove" runs through May 24.

Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. The theater is at 140 E. Market St. in downtown Akron.

All tickets are $15.

For ticket reservations, call the box office at 330-606-5317. Dinner and a Show packages are also available through Crave Restaurant.

Next on stage

The Bang and The Clatter...A Shot Rings Out will next produce "A Nervous Smile," by John Belluso. The play will run from June 6 through June 28.

The Bang and The Clatter...Sometimes in the Silence, the new theater in Cleveland, opened "This is How It Goes" by Neil LaBute as its first production, which will run through May 10. The Cleveland location will then stage "Blackbird" by Adam Rapp.

E-mail: ahelms@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3153