Contraband’s Well-Cast “Am I Dangerous?” is a Fascinating Work in Progress

Am I Dangerous?
by e.k. doolin
Directed by Tress Kurzym
Contraband Theatre
October 9, 2024

Contraband Theatre is presenting another intriguing play at the Chapel, after last year’s production of Jacob Juntunen’s See You In a Minute, which was my favorite new play last year. This year’s production, e.k. doolin’s Am I Dangerous? is also an intriguing, thoughtfully staged show that tackles a lot of issues, particularly concerning women and society’s expectations of what a woman should be. It’s a fascinating production, with a great cast and a striking look and atmosphere, although the promising script could use some revision and clarification.

Inspired in part on the sort-of Shakespeare play Pericles, Prince of Tyre, this story focuses on some of the supporting characters from that play, and especially on the very minor character of Philoten (Allison Sexton), who is essentially given her own new story. Philoten is the teenage daughter of Dionyza (Zahria Moore), who is serving as a sort of religious and political leader while the men of the town in which they live are off at sea. The story is told largely in flashback, beginning as Philoten arrives at the Temple of the Sky, Sea, and Earth, expecting punishment because she says she has killed her mother, but she won’t explain the details. The denizens of the temple then use a shell that Philoten has brought as means to bring back key memories in her life, examining her life and relationships, as well as the influence of her mother, her rebellious foster sister Marina (Jade Cash), and Lychorida (Rachel Bailey), who takes care of Marina and who also has developed a close relationship with Philoten as well as an adversarial relationship with Dionyza. Examining these relationships and seeing them from new angles challenges Philoten to look more closely at her own life and see how she has been influenced by societal expectations, especially those of her strict mother. Issues brought up include societal expectations for women in terms of morality, behavior and appearance, as well as sexuality and body image. There’s also an environmental angle, looking at climate change and humans’ influence on the condition of the earth. 

While this is an intriguing story and the characters are intriguing, there are moments when the dialogue can veer a little too close to being preachy, and there are so many issues dealt with that it seems like there isn’t quite enough time to do all of them justice. Also, although Philoten is the main character, she often comes across as the least developed in terms of personality. This makes sense to a degree, because her figuring out who she is forms a major focus of the play, but often it seems like the rest of the characters have more developed plotlines. Sexton does an excellent job with what she is given, but this character could use a little more to do rather than simply reacting to what’s happening around her.

The rest of the cast is also strong, with a commanding performance from Moore as the domineering Dionyza, as well as Cash as the amorously adventurous Marina, and Bailey in a  strong turn as the determined Lychorida. These three also double as the temple spirits, delivering excellent moments of mystery and enigmatic energy. All four cast members work together well, with memorable energy and terrific ensemble chemistry.

The look of this production is simply striking, with an elegant classical-inspired set by Erik Kuhn and eye-catching costumes by Tress Kurzym. There’s also excellent work from lighting designer Theresa Comstock and sound designer De’Janna Hand, creating a vivid world for these characters to inhabit and serve as an ideal backdrop for this thought-provoking story.

Although it definitely seems to go its own way, it may help in understanding Am I Dangerous? if you’re more familiar with the story and script of Pericles, which I haven’t seen or read (although I read a synopsis after seeing this play). Still, even if you’re coming into this show with little or no knowledge of its source, the issues dealt with here are especially timely and immediate for modern, mature audiences. While the script could use some editing and condensing, and the characters (especially Philoten) could be given more to do, I find this an especially promising script that is sure to provoke much thought and valuable conversation.

Contraband Theatre is presenting Am I Dangerous? at The Chapel until October 26, 2024