What do A Midsummer Night’s Dream, menstruation and a string of mysterious deaths in the woods have in common? (I’ll give you a hint: the answer is not “a high school theatre kid’s stress dream.”) In her new play, Form of a Girl Unknown, Charly Evon Simpson combines all of these elements and more into a completely unique coming-of-age story. The show will run at Salt Lake Acting Company from Oct. 16 to Nov. 17.
Photo courtesy Salt Lake Acting Company
Form of a Girl Unknown
Salt Lake Acting Company – Chapel Theater
Oct. 16 – Nov. 17
Wednesdays – Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Additional performances on Oct. 22, Nov. 2, Nov. 9 and Nov. 12
The play follows 12-year-old Amari (Amanda Morris), who is navigating pubescent dramas both typical (like backstabbing friends, distracted parents and changing bodies) and not (like those pesky killings in the woods).
Simpson previously workshopped the play at Salt Lake Acting Company. Now, Form of a Girl Unknown will have its world premiere on the same stage. “I left Salt Lake City last summer hoping the play would some way, somehow make its way back to SLAC … and now the dream is coming true,” Simpson said.
This play is entirely focused on the perspective of a young black girl, which is still depressingly rare. The play, however, should still be relatable to anyone who had a tough time growing up — so, pretty much anyone. “It is about the transition — the awkward transition — between childhood and adulthood,” said director Melissa Crespo.
Josh Petersen is the Digital Editor of Salt Lake magazine, where he covers local art, food, culture and, most importantly, the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. He previously worked at Utah Style & Design and is a graduate of the University of Utah.
