Intense Flashbacks! Irish Theatre of Chicago Presents Spinning at The Den Theatre (May 27, 2016)

Dan Waller’s performance as Conor is an impressive feat. He is in nearly every scene which switch often and quickly between the present and the past and always with different characters. He is literally spinning through his life. The earliest scene depicts him meeting his wife, Jen, played expertly by Carolyn Kruse. Their relationship is a focal point of the story.

Chronologically, the next character Conor encounters is Annie, played by Tyler Meredith. Annie is a 17 year old girl who meets Conor in a park and is very smitten. She offers to babysit his daughter, Kate, in an effort to get close to him. In actual time, the last character Conor meets is Susan, Annie’s mother. Jodi Kingsley plays her with such great emotion. During the bows at the end of the performance, she still has tears in her eyes.

Throughout the performance, the audience is left in suspense, puzzled about the tragedy. The play reveals more and more information as it goes on. It all leads to a thrilling climax when all the pieces come together. The mixed timeline is similar to the film Momento. Both the play and the movie use this tactic expertly to craft a very dramatic story.

Catch Spinning now at The Den Theatre through July 3^rd.

Quinn Delaney

Photos by Emily Schwartz