By Amanda VanNostrand.
Theresa Rebeck’s one-woman show, Bad Dates, is showing at Act II Playhouse in Ambler, PA between now and December 31st . The genre being reminiscent of your classic chick flick, this production has entertainment, sass, and frivolity written all over it. Bad Dates is appropriate for anyone looking for a lighthearted something to do in the midst of stress and chaos this holiday season!
Karen Peakes plays the role of Haley, the star and sole member of the cast of Bad Dates. Haley engages the audience as she marches back and forth through her bedroom and narrates the story of who she is, how she got to be there, and how she manages her job, parenting, and dating life in a world that can be unkind to women. She goes on several dates throughout the show, pieces together numerous outfits, and navigates her way through a world of dating that seems to be an uphill battle. In the end her life takes a surprising turn for which money laundering and a bug guy take credit.
Initially it may be easy to make a snap judgment and feel that Haley’s character is rather shallow, talking (somewhat excessively) about her eagerness to add to her already-too- large shoe collection. Shoes strewn about her bedroom, in closets, and under the bed, Haley seems to be consumed by footwear and her desire for men. However, as the show continues Haley’s character develops and she reveals herself to be a successful professional, running a restaurant and taking charge; she has a positive relationship with her daughter and is a good mother; and she handles herself well with the men she dates, drawing boundaries where needed and persisting when circumstances seem to be stacked against her.
Karen Peakes is undoubtedly fit to play Haley’s role. Previously described by this reviewer as ‘delightful and hysterical’ in her performance in The Last of the Red Hot Lovers (where she played three different women and was also the sole {female} actress), Peakes once again takes her role and runs with it. She singlehandedly performs for an hour and thirty-five minutes and does not miss a beat. Between the dramatic edge she gives to Haley, her impressive wardrobe changes, and her ability to express Haley’s frustration, loneliness, and eagerness to keep her head up through it all, Peakes is the perfect choice for this character. Her performance is a positive tribute to all those hard-working single women out there whom are doing their absolute best (and often tolerating the company of undeserving men). A job very well done!
Jillian Keys (Costume Designer) and Lucas Fendlay (Sound Designer) do a good job of placing Haley in the appropriate setting. Between her (currently) outdated clothing and the sounds of NSYNC, Brittney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Destiny’s Child, (one would assume) the show can be placed in the early 2000s. This is another asset to Bad Dates, as it adds a nostalgia factor! (And though Haley’s daughter does not make an appearance in this story, one can assume she is awesome based on her music choices.)
Haley is a delight to spend time with and brings the audience along for a ride that is enlightening, frustrating, and realistic. Bad Dates is overall a lighthearted, comical show, and one worth seeing this December.