Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
A Night That Changes Everything
During today’s unpredictable times, we see young people losing themselves while living their social media fantasies, instead of pursuing their own dreams. This play explores that shift, the consequence of less in-person connections, and the lives of three teenagers during one single night within an alcohol-infused discovery of a toxic relationship that creates some organized chaos.
With amazement, the audience enters through the closet of one of the characters and ends up in a teenager’s bedroom, a circular staged area with thirty-three seats, blending actors and the audience into one for an immersive experience.
The Playwright Behind the Chaos
Tim Venable (playwright), after having a successful career as an actor, started exploring and creating roles that he knew would be exciting for fellow actors to portray. Throughout his short plays and feature-length screenplays Tim’s characters are morally complex, down-to-earth, deeply emotional, and remarkably capable of generating humor and connection with audiences. Tim has over twenty years in recovery himself from drugs & alcohol, and in analyzing those characters he did a fantastic job. Over time, playwriting took him even deeper, as well as his experiences of exploring producing and directing. Ultimately, he found writing to be the most exciting.
A Creative Collaboration
In collaboration with director Guillermo Cienfuegos, who also serves as artistic director at Rogue Machine, this brilliant play is created, and “Adolescent Salvation” shows the craziness of what some of our youths are experiencing today. This is not the first time that Venable and Cienfuegos have teamed up, this is their third production together, and the second that Cienfuegos has directed. From the very first time they collaborated, artistic kinship and understanding have developed between them, which is clearly shown in this production.
Talented Actors: Performances That Blur Reality
The actors, Jenny Flack as Victoria, Michael Guarasci as Taylor M, Alexandra Lee as Taylor F, Carolina Rodriguez as Natasha, and Keith Stevenson as Mike McCaffery are bouncing off each other perfectly, never missing a beat, and through the serious and challenging moments they keep us laughing – wondering what will happen next. The spontaneous behavior of the characters is superb; there is not a moment where we detect acting. I have never experienced such long silences in a theatre production, being totally filled with awesomely mysterious astonishment and intensity which creates the giggles in the audience. This silence can surely be golden.
The Artistry Behind the Scenes
Produced by Athena Saxon with co-producers Isabella Schwartz and Rich Wong, this is another amazing production from Rogue Machine, and it is highly recommended. Lindsey Neville is assistant director and the other creatives include Joel Daavid (Scenic/Lighting Design), who so masterfully staged the space, Chris Moscatiello (Sound Design), with the incredible nuances of sound that express the action without a single word needing to be uttered (didn’t want to reveal the spoiler), Christine Cover Ferro (Costume Design), Megan Trapani (Prop Design), Ned Mochel (Violence Design), Allison Bibicoff (Intimacy Director), Victoria Hoffman (Casting), found the perfect cast for this play, Rachel Ann Manheimer (Stage Manager), and Grant Gerrard (Technical Director).
Not Just for Teens But About Them
Adolescent Salvation is not for all ages since it’s filled with adult language. But it is a play about teens, and they can relate to it. It is a powerful play, touching deeply in a way that evokes a strong emotional response. Highly recommended!
Rogue Machine at the Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046, upstairs on the Henry Murray Stage presents the World Premiere of fiercely inquisitive “Adolescent Salvation,” a new play written by Tim Venable and directed by Guillermo Cienfuegos. The play runs at 8pm on Fridays, Mondays; 5pm Saturdays, Sundays through October 12, 2025. (no performances on Mondays, September 15, 22). Contains content on sexual abuse, death. Viewer discretion – 18+.
Run time approximately 90 minutes (no intermission). Tickets are $45 – $60 with discounts for seniors and students. Show4Less: Fridays Sept 12 (15+), Sept. 19 ($20+), Sept. 26 ($20+), Oct. 3 ($25+).
For more information call 855-585-5185 or reserve at https://www.roguemachinetheatre.org/
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