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    Theater Review

    Belleville is a scary and fascinating place at Second Thought Theatre

    Lindsey Wilson
    May 29, 2015 | 10:46 am
    Second Thought Theatre presents Belleville
    Drew Wall as Zack and Jenny Ledel as Abby in Bellville.
    Photo courtesy of Second Thought Theatre

    There are many doors in Second Thought Theatre’s production of Belleville, but no real means of escape. Sarah Brown’s set — realistic down to the Ikea furniture in the main playing space, but eerily wallpapered with mismatched, vintage doors at the edges — creates the perfect atmosphere for the play’s central couple: They could possibly escape their tragedy, if only they knew which direction to go.

     

    The direction they previously chose took them to France, where a dream job researching pediatric AIDS landed Zack and his wife, Abby, in the bohemian neighborhood of Belleville. The 28-year-olds have been together since college and weathered some trying times. The death of Abby’s mother has left her overly dependent on her father and antidepressants, and Zack … well, it would be spoiling things to say what Zack’s problems are besides an over-fondness for marijuana.

     

     

      Like the wildly popular Gone Girl, it’s impossible to trust either side of this twisted matrimonial union.

     
     

    The mystery and suspense in Amy Herzog’s play is what keeps it from becoming just another tale of whiny millennials unsatisfied with their cushy lives. On the surface, Abby and Zack seem #blessed. Abby is an ambivalent actress moonlighting as a yoga teacher (but no one shows for her classes). She admits she has too much free time on her hands yet gave up on her French lessons because “everyone here speaks English anyway.”

     

    Our first encounter with Zack is when Abby returns home one afternoon following Christmas shopping, only to discover her husband having some “quality time with the computer” in their bedroom. Her horrified reaction instantly puts us in Abby’s corner, but don’t expect to stay there for long. Like the wildly popular Gone Girl, it’s impossible to trust either side of this twisted matrimonial union.

     

     Jenny Ledel is fearless as Abby, and that doesn’t just reference the physical aspect of the role. She does disrobe (to say why would be another spoiler), but even when fully clothed she’s astonishingly vulnerable. To play a character who’s not particularly likeable with such understanding means that it’s twice as hard for the audience to pin her down.

     

    “I can have all the trappings of a person I hate and still be a person I like,” she declares after yet another anxiety-ridden outburst. It’s a raw and brave performance from an actress who already sets the bar so high.

     

    STT resident artist Drew Wall is her “homey” (because “sweetie” isn’t hipster enough), and his portrayal of Zack seems more understated — until the plot really takes off. It’s a quieter performance, but when the lights go down on this 90-minute thriller, you might realize Wall has left plenty behind to mull over.

     

    It’s evident that director Lee Trull not only understands the emotional complexity of these characters, but the potential confusion of the play’s timeline as well. He also coaxes strong performances (and even stronger French accents) from Rico Romulus and Aformia Hailemeskel, Abby and Zack’s Senegalese landlords.

     

    It’s a brilliant move by Herzog to juxtapose the troubled Americans with this younger, more responsible couple, mainly because it shows us what picking the right door looks like.

     

    ---

     

    Belleville runs through June 13 at Bryant Hall, and you can go here for tickets.

     
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    Theater Critic Picks

    From Wilde to 'The Wiz': 8 unmissable July shows in North Texas

    Lindsey Wilson
    Jul 2, 2025 | 10:18 am
    Second Thought Theatre presents Your Wife’s Dead Body
    Photo courtesy of Second Thought Theatre
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    Your instinct during the summer might be to hide out in an air-conditioned theater, and there are plenty of options to do exactly this month. But we would be remiss if we didn't remind you about a North Texas tradition: Shakespeare under the stars. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket, and watch The Bard (and this year Oscar Wilde) at Samuell-Grand Amphitheater with Shakespeare Dallas. Both shows opened in June, but continue through most of July.

    Here are eight shows local shows, listed in order of start date:

    The Importance of Being Earnest
    Shakespeare Dallas, through July 18 extended to July 26
    This witty romantic comedy by Oscar Wilde, first performed in 1895, tells the story of two men who assume the identities of a fictional man named Ernest. This leads them to each fall in love and encounter an assortment of comical problems along the way.

    Othello
    Shakespeare Dallas, through July 20
    In this Shakespearean tragedy, Othello is at the peak of his powers: not only Venice's greatest general but also husband to the noble and beautiful Desdemona. But he does not know that in passing over his servant Iago for promotion, he has created a deadly but brilliant enemy. This production is set in an alternate-history version of the 1990s in which the Venetian empire is the predominant political, military, and economic power.

    King Kirby
    American Chronicle Theatre Co., July 4-12
    This is the story of Jack "King of Comics" Kirby. The play follows him from the tough Jewish ghetto of Hell’s Kitchen in New York, to the harrowing battlefields of Normandy during WWII, to tense Senate hearings in the 1950s. Watch as he creates some of the most iconic heroes in pop culture: Captain America, Thor, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, Iron Man, the New Gods, and countless others.

    Your Wife’s Dead Body
    Second Thought Theatre, July 9-26
    Written by Second Though Theatre artistic associate Jenny Ledel in her playwriting premiere, the play takes place in the near future, as Jane takes advantage of a new AI technology that would extend her lifespan ... even if she's not around to see it for herself.

    The Wiz
    Broadway at the Bass, July 15-20
    This all-new production of the groundbreaking, Tony Award-winning musical returns “home” in an all-new pre-Broadway tour, the first one in 40 years. The groundbreaking twist on The Wizard of Oz changed the face of Broadway, from its iconic score packed with soul, gospel, rock, and finger-snapping '70s funk to its stirring tale of Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a contemporary world.

    Noises Off
    Mainstage Irving-Las Colinas, July 18-August 2
    This play-within-a-play captures a touring theater troupe’s production of Nothing On in three stages: dress rehearsal, the opening performance, and a performance towards the end of a debilitating run. Playwright Michael Frayn gives a window into the inner workings of theatre behind-the-scenes, progressing from flubbed lines and missed cues in the dress rehearsal to mounting friction between cast members in the final performance.

    Everybody's Talking About Jamie
    Uptown Players, July 18-August 3
    Inspired by true events, this musical tells the inspiring story of Jamie New, a 16-year-old boy from Sheffield who dreams of becoming a drag queen. His loving mom showers him with endless support but it's not all rainbows for Jamie as his deadbeat dad and some ignorant school kids attempt to rain on his sensational aspirations.

    Shucked
    Broadway at the Bass, July 29-August 3
    This Tony Award-winning musical comedy features a book by Tony Award winner Robert Horn, a score by the Grammy Award-winning songwriting team of Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, and direction by Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien. The corn-fed, corn-bred American musical is sure to satisfy an appetite for great musical theater.

    broadway at the bassmusicalsnational tourplayssecond thought theatreuptown playersshakespeare under starsshakespeare in the parktheater
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