Workhouse at Night: Uplit Arches. Photo courtesy of the Workhouse
The Workhouse continues to be a "go-to" incubator venue for new theater companies in Northern Virginia. Next up is Unquiet Theater Company and its production of Neil LaBute's "Some Girls." LaBute is a film director and screenwriter as well as a playwright.
The Workhouse marketing material described LaBute as "American theater's great agent provocateur" and the show is " by turns outrageously funny and deadly serious."
"Some Girls" focuses on a man only identified as "Guy," a college professor, who is newly engaged. "Guy" is a charmer who decides to visit his ex-girlfriends before his imminent marriage. Each of his ex's is from a different time in Guy's life. Each of the visits can be expected to be intense as Guy tries to explain himself and his actions. He had not treated his previous four girlfriends very well. Two well-known male television stars have played Guy on stage including David Schwimmer ("Friends") in the London production and Eric McCormack ("Will and Grace") in the New York production. The New York production also featured Fran Drescher ("The Nanny").
Unquiet Theatre Company was founded by Northern Virginia's Katy Chmura. "I wanted to establish my own company because I wanted to be able to bring new and exciting works of art to the Northern Virginia area."
Where and When
Unquiet Theatre Company presents "Some Girls" at The Workhouse, W-3 Venue, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. Performances: June 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22. Friday & Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets $15-$20. Call 571-402-5328 or visit http://www.unquiet-…">www.unquiet-theatre…. Note: Not recommended for children under the age of 16.
Chmura selected LaBute's "Some Girls" not only because it is "different," but because "it doesn’t just skim the surface of relationships, it digs, pokes, and picks at them. It shows the true aftermath of a breakup. The show flows so naturally and is incredibly relatable, raw, and real," added Chmura, the production's director. The show requires "very strong and very versatile" actors.
Becca Harney who has been seen in recent Fairfax County productions at the Elden Street Players and Providence Players noted that her ex-girlfriend character speaks the truth for many women. "What she says to him is what every girl has ever wanted to say to a guy that breaks up with her."
When asked what she would like audiences to come away with seeing "Some Girls" Chmura said, "Honestly, I want audiences to really feel for the characters, even Guy who, most audience members, won’t like in the least bit. I want audiences to be able to relate to at least one of the characters and to really have compassion for their story, no matter if it be good or bad."