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Regional Reviews: Raleigh/Durham The Wolves Also see Garrett's review of The Sound of Music
Set on the astroturf of an indoor soccer field, the play follows a high school girls soccer team as they warm up before their weekly games. The central character is not an individual but rather, the ensemble, who are simply known in the play by the team numbers they wear. As the team prepares for the season ahead, each girl navigates personal struggles, shifting dynamics, and the pressure to perform. The Wolves has received multiple awards and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2017. DeLappe's play is insightful and relevant. Her dialogue is layered, overlapping, and fiercely real, harkening memories of the great Robert Altman and his take on dialogue and filmmaking. Each group of girls have their own, specific conversations while chiming in on other topics. Their conversations are often inappropriate, causing conflict amongst themselves. The result is a play that's both emotionally resonant and intellectually sharp. DeLappe has beautifully captured the complexity of both team dynamics and being a teenager. Under the direction of Aubrey Snowden, the staging captures the raw pulse of teenage girls within the framework of a high school soccer team. Snowden allows chaos and quiet to coexist beautifully, navigating the group dynamics with emotional clarity. Scenic designer Yi-Hsuan (Ant) Ma provides a minimalist yet evocative set that transforms the theater into a believable indoor soccer field with striking efficiency. Lighting by Abigail Hoke-Brady delivers fluorescent glows of a sports facility that flows with the rhythm of the scenes, enhancing every beat without overpowering. Costumes by Pamela A. Bond and sound by Daniel Baker round off this professional team. The Wolves is a powerful and intimate look at young women finding their voices–both individually and as a team. It reminds us that, no matter what personal differences we may have, it is our shared humanity that will ultimately unite us. The Wolves , presented by PlayMakers Repertory Company, runs through October 26, 2025, at UNC's Center for Dramatic Art, Paul Green Theatre, 150 Country Club Road, Chapel Hill NC. For tickets and information, please visit www.playmakersrep.org or call 919-962-7529. Playwright: Sarah Delappe |
