Fine Line Productions
fine_line05@hotmail.com
“First off, we are a new educational theatre group in the area run, maintained and created by college students. We are attempting to educate those interested in the business by simply throwing them into a situation in which they are asked to run a part of the production. We currently have college students doing everything from writing and acting, to advertising and building the set.
“As for our first show, Down by the Ocean, it was written by our very own Chris Moss. It is about a high school couple about to graduate and the way their loves crumbles through a certain chain of events. I realize this is a fairly cryptic synopsis but we are trying to keep certain events under wraps so that the surprise is still there.”
‘Down By The Ocean,’ a play written by Chris Moss. August 10th-14th, 7 p.m. Tickets are $5.
Cast: Lauren Kapolnek, Nick Westemeyer, Andy Pastorek, Paris Kerr, Chris Moss, Tiah Carlough, Molly McLaughlin.
"Down By The Ocean" Delivers A Reality Punch
Review by Amy Hare.
On August 11th, I got to take an intimate look at teenage angst in "Down By The Ocean," a play produced and performed by Fine Line Productions. Running from August 10-14th in downtown Moline, "Ocean" was the first effort from Fine Line. The troupe is run by college students who look to perform theatrical works by local aspiring playwrights.
"Down By The Ocean" is riveting, from start to finish. Playwright Chris Moss tells a brutally honest story centered around a high school couple and their friends on the brink of graduation. His perspective is fresh and is reflected in the quick pace of the story. This element keeps the audience guessing. Even when I knew things were going bad for the characters, I didn't know the situations were that bad until the time was right to know as it all unfolded.
Moss does not allow his characters to dilute into teenage stereotypes. He gives them depth and room to grow and collapse. His dialogue contains strong language that does not glorify itself. Rather, it punctuates the equally strong emotions of his characters that together make the story quite believable.
Director Jonathan James brought "Down By The Ocean" to life by focusing on the interaction between the characters. The set and props were minimal, echoing the aura of desperation about the story. The staging of the actors effectively captured the tension between the characters. He showed sensitivity to specific scenes involving heinous acts that maintained their dignity without compromising their shock value.
The actors embraced their roles with enthusiasm and passion. As "Robin" and "Alex," Lauren Kapolnek and Nick Westemeyer had excellent chemistry. It was mezmerising to watch as the high school couple that started out full of hope and promise unraveled, scene by scene. Andy Pastorek was ferociously strong as "Jeff," Alex's friend whose bravado leads to tragic betrayal. Pastorek gave layers to his character that I found entertaining and shocking when Jeff showed his monstrous side. Paris Kerr was very impressive as "Jon," friend of Robin and Alex. Kerr's wonderful interpretation of his character was so believeable that I could identify quirks and mannerisms in Jon with people I knew in high school and college.
"Down By The Ocean," is meant for an audience at least as old as the characters. However, its strong language and mature content make the message of the story relevant. This story could happen at any high school in the past, present, and future. It is difficult to watch the play and not have it evoke high school memories and the emotions that go with them. "Down By The Ocean" is an important work that helps adults remember what high school students were really feeling and can, in its own way, bridge the gap between them.
I am overall very impressed with "Down By The Ocean" and with the effort put forth by Fine Line Productions. I eagerly await their first full season in Summer 2006.