Tape

July 25, 2009
by
2 mins read
Folio Weekly

by DICK KEREKES
Mixed Metaphor Productions is a new theatre group that launched its initial play last weekend on the stage of Atlantic Beach Experimental Theatre, with Stephen Belber’s thought provoking play Tape that looks at the difference between rape and date rape compared to consensual sex. This cutting edge script has four more performances with two more at ABET, 716 Ocean Blvd in Atlantic Beach, the 24th and 25. There are performances on August l3 and l4 at The Sinclair, a downtown night club at 521 W. Forsyth in Jacksonville.
This is the North Florida premiere so brief plot summary is in order. All the action takes place in an hour and ten minutes at a Motel 6 in Lancing Michigan. The room is rented by a young, brash drug dealer (and user), Vince, (A J Pratt) who has come to town to see his old high school buddy of ten years ago Jon (Garry Burgoyne). Jon is a fledging documentary film maker who has an entry in the Lansing Film Festival.
With Jon’s arrival for the reunion of sorts, it becomes very evident quickly that Vince is not there to support his old pal for his film work, but to confront Jon about an incident that happened back in high school days. Vince wanted to know the truth about what occurred between Jon and Amy, Vince’s high school ex-girl friend with whom he never had sex and not because of his not wanting to. Jon and Amy in one drunken night out ended up in bed, in an act that was either rape or consensual, and Vince, after ten years still smarting from his rejection by Amy, grills his buddy about the incident. He gets more and more violent as he smokes grass and uses cocaine during his interrogation.
To make things very interesting Amy (Tracy Olin) is living in Lansing and working as an assistant district attorney, and she arrives to see Vince just for old times’ sake and not knowing that Jon is there as well.
Things get hot and heavy and tensions rise. There are some clever twists that have to do with how everyone’s perceptions of an experienced event are never the same. Was Amy raped? Was it date rape? Was it just rough consensual sex? You will have to decide in your own mind after you hear the different explanations of that evening.
Tom Trauger directed this play, designed the set, lights and sound and was assisted in the technical portions by Neal Thorburn as Stage Manager, Brian as Technical Director and Andrew McCraney who operated the lights and sound. Trauger, along with Ms. Olin and Mr. Burgoyne (both in the show) are the founders of Mixed Metaphor Productions. This group wants to bring bold and edgy scripts to fruition in the Jacksonville area. Their first choice, Tape is a well written, hard hitting play for adults only. It has been widely done all over the county with rave reviews and is not to be missed.
This play should especially appeal to those who appreciate excellent acting. All three characters are superb, but if you are an avid theater goer you are already familiar with the excellent resumes of A J Pratt, Tracy Olin, and Garry Burgoyne in many productions all over the North Florida area. Director Trauger is probably better known as an actor locally, but he is an excellent director who competed in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival representing FCCJ.
I was delighted by the almost full house at ABET on opening night at a show that was not part of their season and everyone who came was there because of the reputations of the Director and performers. I appreciate ABET opening its venue to new groups and plays. It is certainly a plus to lovers of theatre and especially to Atlantic Beach residents who have true gem in their community in ABET.
Cost is always a consideration these days when going out, but at $l2.00 a ticket and $10.00 for seniors and military, it is a real bargain and believe me you get more than your money’s worth in fine theatre. Call 249-7177 for ABET reservations. For reservations at The Sinclair, downtown’s newest nightclub call 358-000.

Folio is your guide to entertainment and culture around and near Jacksonville, Florida. We cover events, concerts, restaurants, theatre, sports, art, happenings, and all things about living and visiting Jax. Folio serves more than two million readers across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, including St. Augustine, The Beaches, and Fernandina.

Folio Weekly
Previous Story

WAPE's Last Band Standing at the Jacksonville Landing

Folio Weekly
Next Story

G-Force

Latest from On Stage

Jax On Pointe: In the Age of the Algorithm, Ballet Still Slays

Words by McKenna Oakley, Photos by Katarina Weissbach  In a culture that increasingly caters to quick dopamine boosts brought on the backs of Facebook clickbait, Amazon shopping hauls and staged Tik Toks, it was refreshing to enjoy the elegance and restraint of a timeless art form: ballet. Season after

June Comedy Listing

June 4 Marvin Hunter Comedy Zone comedyzone.com June 5 Comedy Showcase  Just One More instagram.com/JustOneMoreJaxFl June 5-7 Ryan Davis Comedy Zone comedyzone.com June 6 First Coast Comedy The Main Event, 7 p.m.  The Blue Show  (21+ only), 9:30 p.m.  First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com Joey Nickel Really

June Theater, Dance and Film

Through June 1 “Hamlet” The Island Theater, Fleming Island theislandtheater.com Through June 15 “Rhinocerous” Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine limelight-theatre.org Through June 22  “My Fair Lady”  Alhambra Theatre & Dining alhambrajax.com June 2 “Celebrating Celine Dion” Alhambra Theatre & Dining alhambrajax.com June 6-15  “Anastasia”  The Island Theater,

MY FAIR LADY is absolutely Loverly at the Alhambra

Aaaooo, why can’t the English learn to speak?!  With a lively opening full of Cockney dialect, this fun transaction sets the stage for a bet between Henry Higgins (Gary Lee Webber) and Colonel Pickering (Andy Moritz) that Higgins can’t take a guttersnipe like Eliza Doolittle (Sofia Smith) and turn her
Folio Weekly

Mat Kearney Interview

Renowned attorney and media personality John Phillips recently sat down with platinum-selling singer-songwriter Mat Kearney for an exclusive interview with FOLIO Weekly. The conversation offered a unique glimpse into Kearney’s creative process, his musical journey, and personal insights rarely shared with the public.
July 5th Cleanup
GoUp

Don't Miss

The Avett Brothers

November 15 The Avett Brothers St. Augustine Amphitheatre (904) 471-1965

Paula Poundstone

Paula Poundstone “Twitter is the postcards in my head.” It’s