College seniors, romances, a bit of bed-hopping, the looming future. These make up the foundation of Suckers, and Imprint Theatreworks’ production for the current FIT festival.

Four young people play human pinball, falling in and out of love with each other. Rath, Apathy, Desire, and Fear headlight each brief monologue that follows them through their last school year, the eight years later, and back to when they all first met. A Christmas party seems to be the connector, obliviousness the glue.

I found it difficult to relate to this piece, not because of age or loss of memory, because, to be frank, we’ve all been there before. It was more a lack of truthfulness and vulnerability that held me back from full empathy. I simply did not care. Only when the characters gathered for their first Christmas party together did I truly understand each person and recognize their hearts.

The actors nicely supported each other onstage. I highlight Natalie Hope Johnson who uplifted Jane’s truthful innocence throughout. Josh Bangle, though chewing up the scenery a bit, sharply portrayed a man that made certain he kept a step ahead of the pain, the reality.

Imprint Theatreworks’ production of Suckers only skims the surface of what the play actually presents, of what it’s like to live through such uncertainty, such misunderstood love, such mistaken desire, such truth.

Suckers is part of FIT’s 20th Annual Festival of Independent Theatres. Recommended for a mature audience.

Remaining performances are Thursday, July 19th at 8pm, Friday, July 27th at 8pm, Saturday, July 28th at 2pm, and Saturday, August 4th at 5pm.

AND – after all weekend performances are over, FIT continues UNDERGROUND!

FIT Underground is a uniquely bohemian space that features a stage with live music and dance by local artists and a concessions stand with light refreshments available at the lake level of the Bath House Cultural Center.
FIT Underground music performances are scheduled to begin at 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, soon after the last FIT theatre show of the evening ends. AND IT’S FREE !!!!!!!

Friday, July 20 • The Lonesome Johnson Boys
FIT Underground Music (10 PM)
Saturday, July 21 • Bonus Show
The Very Good Dance Company at FIT Underground presents Elephant Antonyms
written and choreographed by Colby Calhoun.
FIT Underground Dance (1 PM)
Saturday, July 21 • Funeral Drive
FIT Underground Music (10 PM)
Friday, July 27 • Pool Lights
FIT Underground Music (10 PM)
Saturday, July 28 • Bonus Show
The Very Good Dance Company at FIT Underground presents Elephant Antonyms
written and choreographed by Colby Calhoun.
FIT Underground Dance (7 PM)
Saturday, July 28 • Felix Flores
FIT Underground Music (10 PM)
Friday, August 3 • Elephant Antonyms