Most reasonable people would concur. But an assumption is always made that the adults limiting youthful expression are benign in intent and legal in practice. And, as Stephen Karam's very provocative little play "Speech and Debate" makes abundantly clear, that's not ipso facto the case. Frequently, teenagers don't just have to fend for themselves, they also have to fend off the potentially malevolent ministrations of adults. Most of us who've reached the other side of adolescence have at least one story from that realm.
"Speech and Debate," which opened Monday night at the American Theater Company, introduces an exciting new era at ATC. Even the seats are new.
PJ Paparelli, who makes an auspicious directing debut at the helm of this venerable troupe, has snagged a very hot play, very quickly. This one is still in the middle of a much-lauded, much-extended premiere run at New York's Roundabout Theatre Company and has not yet been seen anywhere else. The coup is because Paparelli and Karam collaborated previously on "columbinus," another edgy play sympathetic to the plight of American teenagers.
In this latest effort—which Paparelli has given a very hip production with some clever use of teen-bedroom technology—a trio of Oregon high school kids grapple with freedom of expression.
An aspiring journalist (played by the splendidly intense Jared McGuire) embarks on an investigation to expose one of his teachers, who is trolling Internet chat rooms for youthful prey. Karam is clearly arguing it's quite the perversion of justice when the honorable student journalist, who goes by the name of Solomon, has fewer expressive rights than the errant adult.
Meanwhile, his music-theater-loving pal Diwata (Sadieh Rifai) has more prosaic problems to fill her pod-cast, such as a drama teacher who ignores her talents and the stubborn refusal of the world to operate according to the value system of "Wicked." And then there's Howie (Patrick Andrews), who wants little more than to form a gay-straight alliance at his school, regardless of how many people turn up. Cheryl Graeff plays the authority figures—a scared teacher, a self-serving adult journalist—none of whom is much use.
A lot of shows about teens ring inauthentic. Not this one. Karam reaches for major themes but still evokes the essential smallness of the desires of many young people. The cast captures the excitement and limitations of youth without stooping to idealization or condescension.
I'd argue that "Speech and Debate" has a few sags toward the end and doesn't entirely execute its own premise. But those are minor complaints. Demonstrably, American Theater Company is now on a whole new track. Paparelli's top-drawer production is comparable to what you'd see at America's leading progressive theaters. And, just as important, it's an exceptionally stimulating show in which the stakes remain at top pitch.
In recent years, young audience members have been mostly absent from ATC. If teens and college kids can find their way back to ATC for this—maybe you could bring a couple there—they'll surely appreciate the intelligence and passion of the validation.
cjones5@tribune.com
"Speech and Debate"
When: Through May 31 (extended)
Where: American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron St.
Running time: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Tickets: $30-$35 at 773-929-1031
