Natalie not only has to juggle her love life and choosing between her husband and his brother, but she also has to deal with a chicken in the newest reading by The Brick Monkey Theater Ensemble.
Merri Biechler’s newest comedy, The Shared Wife, tackles the issue of breaking the norms surrounding relationships.
“We’re looking at who people choose to love and seeing that in a societal context and ask what happens when we find love outside of a societal context,” said Biechler, the playwright and managing director of Brick Monkey.
The show is the latest in Brick Monkey’s free play reading series, in which actors in the Southeast Ohio Professional Theater Company do a staged reading or performances from scripts with little to no stage movement. Biechler said the series is a great way to get the community exposed to new plays.
Following the reading, the director will lead a discussion and Q-and-A where audience members will provide feedback.
“The audience here is very savvy and smart,” Biechler said. “Every time there’s a reading, it definitely changes the trajectory of the script. If things aren’t clear, I want to know that.”
This won’t be the first time she has had input on the play. Biechler said she has gone through about four drafts, and Ledger Free, who will read the part of the husband, has been there to read for them all.
“Being a part of the process is so great,” said Free, Front of House manager for the Division of Theater and publicity manager for the College of Fine Arts. “Merri is so open to ideas and opinions. … (There were some concerns and) everyone was throwing out ideas and she took them and listened to them.”
Kate Scholl, a founding member of Brick Monkey, will read for Natalie and has also seen multiple drafts of the show. She said she enjoys doing staged readings because they allow actors to work directly with the playwright, an opportunity not always available for full productions.
Free said he has really enjoyed the message of the play throughout the years.
“Don’t let society dictate what’s right and wrong just because it seems taboo,” he said. “To approach that topic but comically is really great and I think she’s done a great job with it.”
@BuzzLightMeryl
mg986611@ohiou.edu
If You Go:
What: The Brick Monkey Theater Ensemble presents The Shared Wife
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: ARTS/West, 132 W. State St.
Admission: Free
