Director, Actor, Artistic Director, and Sometimes Gardener
Director, Actor, Artistic Director, and Sometimes Gardener
Matrix Theatre
Detroit, MI, USA
Sept/Oct 2015
Jake is a precocious four-year-old and a viable candidate for Manhattan's top kindergartens, but when he displays affection for Cinderella and dress-up, teachers and parents become concerned.
"The Matrix Theatre Company’s 25th season is off to an impressive start with its current production of 'A Kid Like Jake' by Daniele Pearle. The cast of 'A Kid Like Jake,' under the direction of David Wolber, handles the delicate but explosive gender-relevance subject with utmost respect. This is actually a very funny play...We often hear tales of come-from-behind wins referred to as a 'Cinderella story.' The expression takes on new meaning in this moving, thought-provoking play." -Patty Nolan, Examiner.com
"The bottom line is this: It's rare for a show to have that much of an impact on me - and for all the right reasons. With powerful acting, insightful direction by David Wolber, and a thought-provoking script, "A Kid Like Jake" is a fine opening to Matrix Theatre's 25th anniversary season." - Don Calamia, The Cranky Critic review of "A Kid Like Jake"
"...a smart and provocative new play about the pitfalls of parenting that's being staged by the Matrix Theatre Company. Director David Wolber includes some clever bits of business during the scene changes in which Allison Megroet, who plays a nurse in the play, pantomimes some of Jake’s behaviors. One of the many fine things about this production is the matter-of-fact way it deals with sexual identity. It also reveals that even a smart, outwardly liberal-minded parent like Alex can be frightened by stigma and react negatively to allowing a child to explore his sexual identity." - John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press review of "A Kid Like Jake"
"It is a well-performed, compelling story in an intimate setting, riveting audiences with its quick pace and emotional intensity. Valor-Bourque and Futrell are standouts in the strong cast." - Sue Suchyta, DownriverSundayTimes.com
A Kid Like Jake
by Daniel Pearl
Director - David Wolber
Alex - Kaitlyn Valor Bourque
Greg - Patrick Hanley
Judy - Krystle Futrell
Nurse - Allison Megroet
Assistant Director - Katie Foster
Stage Manager - Maddy Rager
Set design - Lisa Charlotte Berg
Light design - Amy Schneider
Costume design - Anne Suchyta
Sound design - Michael Hallberg