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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Six Rounds of Vengeance Also see Gil's reviews of Mean Girls High School Version and Something Rotten!
Set in the post-apocalyptic desert wasteland of "Lost" Vegas, the play follows Jess, a woman fueled by a need for vengeance after a tragedy has upended her life. Her quest for justice intertwines with others searching for survival in this fractured new world. The result is a blend of martial arts, comic book aesthetics, fantasy characters, and a whole lot of heart. Nguyen is probably best known for his play She Kills Monsters, and while Six Rounds of Vengeance isn't quite on the polished level of that piece, Nguyen's trademark style of balancing irreverence with surprisingly sincere emotional stakes is on full display here. At the center of the action is Jess, played with fierce intensity and grounded honesty by Rachelle Dart. Jess is determined, skilled, and emotionally raw, and Dart embodies her with both physical strength and emotional clarity, making her a character worth rooting for from the very first scene. Dart's dry comic line reading only adds to the fun. Lucky, Jess' charming and slightly mischievous companion, is portrayed with wit and charisma by Marshall Vosler, providing comic relief while also showing moments of genuine loyalty. Vosler also sings a couple of short, original songs that add a few comical moments. Malcom is a character who wrestles with his own sense of loss and morality and Brenton Lanier brings depth to allow us to understand the cause of his situation; I only wish his English accent were a little more consistent. As the fiery and resilient Gabby, Jess' sister, Courtney Kenyon adds spark and sass to the story, and her scenes provide welcome bursts of energy. Don Diego, the larger-than-life, famous Spanish swordsman who trains Jess, is played by Ricardo Leon with just the right amount of comedy and theatrical flair, making him a crowd-pleasing character who is fun to watch. Emmanuel Espinoza, Andy Gongora, and Ryan "Raffa" Pierce-Hrechany round out the cast as a few interesting supporting characters. Ric Alpers' direction keeps the energy high while also making sure the emotional beats land amid the whirlwind of action. The fight sequences, which include a mix of kung-fu sword fights and western-style shoot outs, are some of the best I've seen and are staged with precision and creativity by Dart, Kenyon, and Vosler's Pantheon Movement Arts; the many lengthy and varied fights in the production add to the show's momentum. While the opening could be a little clearer in both the script and the direction, and the flashbacks occasionally slow the forward drive of the plot, they do provide important context to the characters' motivations. Production elements heighten the fun as well. Michaela Davison's costumes have a western-meets-wasteland look that perfectly matches the world of the play, while the fun use of Marshall Vosler's puppets and shadow puppetry brings the creatures Jess and her friends face comically to life. With Nguyen's witty cartoon-infused script, thrilling fight choreography, and a standout turn by Rachelle Dart, All Queer Shakespeare and Ronin Theatre Company's production of Six Rounds of Vengeance is a spirited, action-packed ride. The All Queer Shakespeare / Ronin Theatre Company production of Six Rounds of Vengeance runs through September 28, 2025, at Scottsdale Neighborhood Arts Place, 4425 N Granite Reef Rd, Scottsdale AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.allqueershakespeare.com. Director: Ric Alpers Cast: |
