Theater Review: Urbanite's Dry Land

SARASOTA – Urbanite Theatre opened its much-anticipated second season Friday night with Ruby Rae Spiegel's Dry Land, a provocative play that takes a poignant look at some of the pressures faced by girls in contemporary American high school life.

Set in the girls' locker room of a Florida high school, Dry Land centers on the unwanted pregnancy of Amy, a junior on the swim team, whose lack of what she views as viable options steers her toward some rather stark efforts to self-abort. Recent Booker VPA grad Ellie McCaw, who was quite good in Freak at Urbanite last season, is nothing short of magnificent as Amy. Indeed, McCaw's fiercely-intense performance and immense stage presence at times seem impossible for such a young actor.

Fellow VPA alum Jordan Boyer is excellent as Ester, Amy's swim teammate, who despite being a senior and much more accomplished in the water, follows her around like a groupie. Olivia Siegel, still another VPA grad, adds some comic relief as their quirky teammate, Reba. Both Boyer and Siegel are making their professional debuts before heading off to the New York Film Academy and New College of Florida, respectively.

Recent FSU/Asolo Conservatory grad Josh James turns in a very good performance as Victor, a friend of Ester's family whom she stays with during a recruiting visit to Florida State. James gave some memorable performances with both the Asolo Rep and the Conservatory but gets to flex very different muscles as the awkwardly-vulnerable college sophomore.

This is a play that requires both spot-on casting and great actor chemistry. Fortunately, the production has plenty of both. Having three actresses from the same theater program surely helps, but the production's quality also speaks to Booker VPA's well-earned reputation as one of the best high school theater programs on the gulf coast. Urbanite co-founder Summer Dawn Wallace directs and had the entire cast firing on all cylinders for Friday night's opening.

While abortion provides the bulk of the play's conflict, Dry Land also touches on such hotbed topics as eating disorders, bullying and suicide. The palpable tension of the subject matter is sure to keep audiences deeply engaged, but it's the poignant authenticity of the characters and dialogue that make this play such an affecting piece of theater.

Summer theater is back in Sarasota, and Dry Land is a very good start. It runs through July 24. Visit Urbanite's website for schedule and ticket information.