Balagan Theatre: True West

Picture by Andrea Huysing

The next great play at Balagan theatre is True West. Straight from the Balagan family, Shawn Belyea and Tim Hyland directed this play that was written by Sam Shepard. The play is all about the intense relationship between two brothers Austin and Lee. Austin, played by Chris Bell, is an aspiring screenwriter who is trying to break into the show biz world and takes some time off to write and take care of his mom's house. While trying to get peace and quiet is interrupted by his older brother Lee. Lee, played by Mike Dooly, is your typical bad seed of the family that loves to gamble and drink... there is always one in the family right? This story proves that relationships, although can seem innocent, can prove to be quick hazardous to both parties.

Picture by Andrea Huysing

I thought that the play hit right in the bulls-eye with showing the relationship between siblings. Personally for me, I will fight and die for my brothers but sometimes... I could just choke them to death. What I really liked about this play was that the relationship was believable. I believed that one brother just wanted to help the other and when the roles reversed (see the play to know about I'm talking about) they seemed to still want to help. I thought it was really clever and entertaining how they moved from one scene to another. This is a really intense play from yelling to breaking to binge drinking to burning toast... trust me this is a play I would for sure go see again. Balagan is presenting True West Thursday-Sunday until May 1st so be sure to get some tickets and check it out, you won't be disappointed.