Drama Queens, a five-star arts journal focusing on female artists

Americaring at the MITF

“All you’re about is money, and people be damned.” Kids must find a way through whatever life deals them in Americaring by Kate Gill. In the intimate black box of the Beckman Theatre at American Theater of Actors, the characters and their relationships are at the forefront.

The play opens with a young Jimmy (Teagan Guertin) looking for his cat. He, along with older siblings Annie (Quinn Davis) and Micky (Carlos Fruzzetti) are mostly left to fend for themselves. Their father Mac (Kevin Patrick Dowling) has become the town drunk who can’t keep a job, following his wife’s passing.

At school Annie meets Kyle (Preston Ottaviano), whose mother was also a victim of breast cancer. Although they bond over this, their circumstances are vastly different: Kyle wants for nothing, thanks to his wealthy father Frank (Mark Gilchrist). Worse, we learn that Frank fired Mac because the high cost of Mac’s wife’s cancer treatment would burden Frank’s business.

Although Annie tries to look past this and not judge Kyle for his father’s actions, the class difference can’t help but cause a strain on their relationship.

Director Frank Licato keeps the piece moving, with a quick pace that mirrors how fast life comes at these kids.

Tensions come to a head when Kyle and Annie get in a car crash after consuming champagne on prom night.

Although it is revealed the champagne was provided by Frank’s second wife and former dancer Marilyn (Fredd Takacs),  this moment still feels unexplained, since Annie had sworn she would never drink for fear of ending up like her father.

Regardless, the accident is a wake up call. Mac moves with the kids to his brother in Florida, who will help him find steady work and assist in caring for the kids. And although  there is some fear the alligators will get to the family cat, all in all this move seems like it will be the fresh start they all need.

Americaring is a kind of afterschool special exploring the injustice of the American healthcare system and how class differences magnify tragedies. The play headlines the Midtown International Theatre Festival’s residency this weekend only, closing on Sunday June 28 at 8pm.