Sharon Greene's drama, "Fake Lake," produced by the Neo-Futurists, is most immediately notable for its performance venue, which is a Chicago Park District swimming pool. But it wouldn't matter how interesting the setting was if the story didn't hold up. Thankfully, it does.
The play is an autobiographical recounting of a camping trip Greene took during her college years, with a group of friends she barely knew to Lake Powell, Utah. The play starts out as a coming-of-age dramedy about the relationships between the young friends, but this focus quickly takes a back seat to Greene's growing concern with the lake and its history. At first she is captivated by what seems to be its natural beauty but comes to learn that it is a man-made reservoir which has had a devastating effect on the surrounding natural environment. The coming-of-age storyline, with its usual young-adult concerns of identity, friendship and sexuality is subtly, at times too subtly, integrated with the show's pro-conservation message.
The production is infused with the same sly, mildly self-satisfied intelligence and fun audience participation that characterizes the Neo-Futurists' flagship piece, "Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind." This is very much to "Fake Lake's" benefit, as it keeps it from becoming too preachy. Fans of "Too Much Light" will probably find much to like here, unless they like it for the jumping up and down, which this nimbly replaces with swimming.
Although I would have liked it to have been a bit longer and slightly more coherent in its themes, "Fake Lake" is a witty, heartfelt and moving play that will make you appreciate the beauty we are blessed with, including the beauty of a neighborhood swimming pool.
Reviewed by Centerstage!
