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    Theatre Review: MadLab 3 in 30: Vegas

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    Friday night, MadLab Theatre presented its latest 3 in 30 series, 3 in 30: Vegas. The show consists of three original 10-minute plays with the theme of Las Vegas.

    The short play, “Before and After,” by Amanda Bauer and directed by Greg McGill, demonstrated that not everything that happens while in Vegas, necessarily stays there. Kate, played by Sarah Perrill, and Mark, played by Brent Hampson, play two friends flying to Vegas together for a mutual friend’s wedding. However, after an unpredictable trip, the two find themselves in a situation, on the ride home, that they’re unsure of how to resolve. Perrill and Hampson work well together and the play, which was split in half from the beginning to the end of the night, was believable.

    “The Whale,” by Benjamin Zober and directed by Carmen Scott, was the more dramatic of the three short plays. Adam, played by Erik Sternberger receives, so to speak, “an offer he can’t refuse,” while gambling in Vegas. The offer comes from a mysterious man, played by Orel De La Mota, who promises to turn his luck around and presents him with a winning streak, and in return, Erik should tell everyone about his story and Vegas. When Erik doesn’t hold his part of the deal, his luck is taken away and he loses everything. Sternberger is convincing as a gambling man who loses it all and Mota plays the overpowering, strong character perfectly but the story line was a bit overdone and puzzling.

    In Austin Steinmetz’s, “Another Night in the Vegas Drunk Tank,” directed by Jessica Studer, the full MadLab audience finally got a few laughs. Ending up in jail after a wild night in Vegas might not be the worst thing that could happen to you, according to this play. Mouth, played by Jonathan Calig, finds himself in the slammer after making a run for it in the casino. Elvis, or at least that’s who he thinks he is, played by Peter Graybeal, is in for impersonating a police officer. Ironic. But, the more interesting of the men, Sam, played by production manager, Stephen Woosley, has quite a different story. After falling in love and a wild fight, Sam finds himself lied to by the woman, so he thinks, of his dreams. Calig is comical as the talkative annoyance. Graybeal, although looks wise, looks nothing like the king, does quite an impersonation. And Woosley is more than amusing and enjoyable to watch.

    Although, with the theme of Vegas, I was hoping for a more humorous night of plays, MadLab doesn’t disappoint with 3 in 30: Vegas.

    3 in 30: Vegas will play again Saturday May 19th 10:30 pm at MadLab Theatre, 227 N. 3rd St., Columbus, OH 43215. Ticket prices are $5 ($3 if you come see Theatre Roulette at 8).

    More information can be found online at www.madlab.net.

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    Halie Williams
    Halie Williamshttps://columbusunderground.com/
    Halie Williams is currently attending the Ohio State University and working towards a bachelors in Journalism. Born and raised in Columbus. Lover of books, classic rock and sports. Positive outlook enthusiast. Aspiring writer and drummer.
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