Mom’s antique store is full of offensive goods in Shopworn. (Photo courtesy of Capital Fringe)
Reminds us of: A dysfunctional family sitcom with a culture clash-driven plot. Think Modern Family meets an episode of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia called “The Gang Inherits An Antique Store.”
Flop, Fine or Fringe-tastic: Fine.
How do you ascribe value to a champagne flute or a needlepoint pillow or a racist piggy bank? What about an antique store left to you by your estranged mother?
In playwright Derek Hills’ new show Shopworn, brothers Dalton (Gary DuBreuil) and Ash (Jesse Marciniak) return to their Southern hometown for their mother’s funeral and learn they’ve inherited her shop. Alongside quirky employee Erica (delightfully played by Rachel Manteuffel), who also inherited a share, and Dalton’s girlfriend Molly (Anika Harden), the brothers get to work parsing through the goods, which turn out to be seriously offensive. Dalton and Molly express their concerns, but Ash defends the items in the name of heritage and American history. Does the past matter, and is it possible to simply erase it?
Under Bryanda Minix’s direction, comedic timing and delivery do a good amount of work in making this tense, strange, and intriguing narrative pretty entertaining. Audience members chuckle at “entry-level wokeness,” a phrase that perfectly describes so many well-meaning white liberals with a lot to learn.
Unfortunately, an abrupt, undercooked ending does this promising show no favors. Like a functional but worn-down piece of furniture picked from an antique store, it still needs fine-tuning. However, if you tighten the bolts and give the play a fresh coat of varnish, it could be a wonderful statement piece. Shopworn has a ways to go, but it’s off to a great start.
When to See It: Christ United Methodist Church, 900 4th Street, SW
When to See It: Thursday, July 19 at 7 p.m.; Sunday, July 22 at 3:45 p.m.; Thursday, July 26 at 6:45 p.m.; or Saturday, July 28 at 9:15 p.m.
Check out all of our coverage of this year’s Capital Fringe Festival here.
