As the girls paced across the floor, their babble of voices filled the small space, gradually resolving into a single whispered word: strength. Confessions of a Fatherless Daughter, presented by Sluts & Cupcakes (students from SCPA), was a frank exploration into the power a father holds in defining his child’s worldview.
This production, written and directed by Alyssa Thompson, follows six fictitious girls whose stories are all too real. In a courageous look at the flaws inherent in a father-daughter relationship, Confessions examines different paternal roles and their consequences on daughters. From an addict to a discouraged dreamer, these fathers are characterized by their effects on their daughters’ views regarding love and identity.
Minimal in technical elements and blunt in message, Confessions allowed each actress to render a distinct and memorable character. The use of a text message conversation between characters projected onto the screen provided moments of pause and profound silence that contrasted with the energy of each girl’s monolog. Each performer gave great weight to her role and delivered a portrait that was raw and resonant.
The frustration of Sarah, played by Mallory Kraus, an aspiring actress disgusted by her absent father, was palpable as she stormed around the stage flailing her arms. Her energy and intensity made her a powerful presence, and her range of emotion was impressive; her embitterment and rising fury reached a peak when she spat, “You hurt me.”
Maliyah Gramatah-Jones earnestly portrayed Olivia, a young woman intent on independence and clinging to her dreams. As Vanessa, Sarah Cahall tempered sassiness and assumed nonchalance with vulnerability. She used her space to her advantage, pacing the stage in an erratic way that matched her agitation. She made Vanessa believably capricious and conflicted, joking about her father’s anonymity but still hurt by his absence.
Daisy Bentley gave Spencer an endearing frankness, but lent moments of brokenness to her affected toughness. As a girl oppressed by her father’s longing for a son, Bentley balanced forced lightness and wry jokes with tears shining in her eyes as she discussed her unhealthy body image.
Emma Allen’s Ady was a study in bitterness and hope as she related her disappointment with her addict father. Devon Swanson lent warmth to the character of Isabel, making her love for her father and her fear of his disappointment evident in her subdued performance.
Confessions of a Fatherless Daughter ended in the same manner that it began: a tangle of whispered adjectives. But this time, the girls joined hands and whirled together as they meditated on strength, leaving the audience to wonder whose strength —the fathers’ or the girls’ — that is most present in their relationships.
CONFESSIONS OF A FATHERLESS DAUGHTER by Sluts and Cupcakes (Cincinnati) will be performed 5:45 p.m. May 31 at the School for Creative & Performing Arts (108 W. Central Parkway, Over-the-Rhine).
Bridget Nicholas is a senior, graduating from Scott High School in Taylor Mill, Ky. She was a 2014 Overtures finalist for creative writing and recently was awarded a Scholastics Gold Key for writing. Bridget wrote a commentary about a production at another high school that was recognized as the “Top Critique” for the 2014 Cappies Program. CityBeat is pleased to have her on its reviewing team for the 2014 Cincinnati Fringe.
This article appears in May 28 – Jun 3, 2014.