Spotlight: The K of D

Illusion Theater

A A A Comments (1) By Ed Huyck Wednesday, Oct 19 2011

Chris Bennion

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The K of D
Illusion Theater

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In The K of D, the audience goes on a dizzying, Stephen King-like tour of a small Ohio town and the strange events that surround a manmade lake one summer. Its effectiveness is built on a three-way dance among the show's playwright, director, and especially its lone performer. Writer Laura Schellhardt has a real ear for the everyday details of run-down, small-town life, and that comes out in every corner of the production. The play, directed by Braden Abraham, centers on a thrilling turn by Renata Friedman, who brings nearly two dozen characters to life over 90 minutes. The "K of D" is the kiss of death, and it appears that young Charlotte McGraw has developed it following her brother's violent demise. The evidence is scant at first—a few dead field mice and rabbits—but the young members of the pack, which include our nameless narrator, are convinced that Charlotte can end a life with just a peck on the lips. Plot aside, the tall and sinewy Friedman is the main attraction here. It's easy to forget that only one performer is involved in the action, as she slips between the characters effortlessly, all the while maintaining the play's forward momentum. $25-$28. 528 Hennepin Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612.339.4944. Through October 22

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