TAMPA – After watching a final dress rehearsal of The University of Tampa’s portrayal of Debt, I was reintroduced to my love affair with the theater and the power of visual emotions.
Adapted from Seth Kramer’s script, the evocative portrayal of six people’s lives disentangled before my eyes, leaving me to question whether or not I had just watched a live production or what seemed like the stylized HBO version of Friends.
I couldn’t help but feel enthralled with the monologues, which were written in 2003.
Some were so well embodied by the actors that they felt like personal testaments. Jumping from bar, to couch, to bedroom, the show was elusive, yet raw, connecting me with the characters and their troubled lives.
Take Scott (played by Tyler Strawhecker), a young withdrawn gay man who begins to admit his homosexual attraction, yet is more disturbed by this self-discovery than those closest to him.
While at a bar with his artistic friend Mosher (Brandon Shea), and callous former roommate and entrepreneur Greg (Billy Masuck), Scott quickly falls for the waiter Dwight (Hector Flores Jr.).
The two form a close relationship and Dwight begins to understand Scott better than anyone has before.
To Dwight’s eyes, Scott has become a part of him.
While the budding love story is sweet, there is a sense of realness that progresses through the dialogue and unveils the crude demeanor of the characters.
Greg’s ruthless personality and zealous treatment of his wife Deshia (Alice Renier) left her broken, divorced and without a home.
While she tries to find remorse and comfort in Mosher, her feelings and anguish torment her and wear away his imaginative mind and creative façade.
At first glance, it is Greg’s repugnant attitude that runs circles around his friends, for they feel close camaraderie and overall respect for him.
After a lifetime of vulgar comments and physical abuse to anyone who delayed his goals, Mosher begins to realize some promises must be kept while others broken.
It is Greg’s furtive mistress Molly (Maria Breeskin) who ultimately stands up to him during a verbal quarrel at a bar saying “I am stronger than you, Greg.”
While this show is definitely not intended for the submissive audience, Debt will leave you feeling both anguish and vengeance for the characters.
Whether you connect with the divorced and torn wife, the close friend who’s trust has been broken or the man who longs for the courage to let go of his inhibitions, there is a character for each of us.
These are just some of the developing conflicts interwoven throughout the two act production.
Debt runs at 8 p.m. from Thursday through Saturday, with a final matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Tickets are free for UT students, faculty and staff, $10 for general admission, $5 for senior citizens and non-UT students.
Mike Trobiano can be reached at mike.trobiano@gmail.com.