Four Coloring
Four Coloring by Mackenzie Raine Kirkman
An absurdist look at the process America takes to design and build a new American flag. Featuring four artists chosen for different reasons, can one of them create a design America approves of?
All photos taken by Marisa Valdes
"[...] The play is a Theater of the Absurd delight – influences of Kafka, Albee, Beckett, Sartre – where characters are most always portrayed in closed systems they cannot escape. And again in Absurdist fashion, their being contained leads to them fighting to take control. (Ionesco's "Rhinoceros" anyone?)The lights go down quickly then come back up. [...] Beyond contemporary commentary, Kirkman introduces real history facts. Their dialogue brings historical references like the 1818 flag act and the character of Red is the one who explains. Otamendi, whose character at one point is accused of being part of the Squid Game, delivers the lines as they should be – knowledgeable and assured despite the questioning by the others. Lewis as the highfalutin designer presents in the beginning as someone with no fear, but when they realize they are stuck in the room, the ego shifts. Del Portal as Blue, who brings to mind Brad Pitt in his early days of "Thelma and Louise" is the quizzical one? Sort of the mediator and plays the middle man well. Jolly's plays the role on the edge, an impulsive, no fear daredevil. They are all marvelous. [...] Brandon Urrutia's direction has surely pulled the actors together as an ensemble and he assures that everything feels claustrophobic but not so much as to stifle the production. Erin Proctor's costumes, all white -- fancy shirt and pants for White, a red vest and sweat pants for Red, and blue jeans, a jacket and shirt, for Blue; Other is dressed in nothing descript, purposely. Leonardo Ubina's lighting design creates a foreboding element and Indy Sulliero's all black room is absolutely and perfectly barren.- Michelle F. Solomon, miamiartzine
"[...] director Brandon Urrutia makes the most of Four Coloring's challenging material in their curation of the show's design elements and in the compelling performances they help draw out of the show's cast. Whatever these young actors lacked in experience and polish, they made up for in energy, enthusiasm, and earnest commitment to their characters' bizarre circumstances [...] A stark and simple black set designed by Indy Sulliero works well as an ominous "blank slate" backdrop, subtly suggesting "school" through the use of desks in another effective thematic touch. Some ominous effects created by lighting designer Leonardo Urbina also succeed in clarifying the meaning of some key moments and giving the play a lively visual scenescape. [...] I applaud the company for continuing to take risks on fascinating and genuinely original new material. And for adventurous theatregoers who aren't afraid of leaving a show with a few more questions than answers, this unique new piece may be worth taking a chance on. - Ilana Jael, South Florida Theater Magazine
"[...] Under company artistic director/co-founder Brandon Urrutia's astute direction, four talented performers demonstrate impressive naturalism as they bring a quartet of distinct characters to convincing life. These performers are perhaps in their 20s, and if their strong performances in Four Coloring are any indications, they have a bright, long future ahead of them. Certainly, those of us who care about live theater must feel good knowing that such young, promising, and talented performers exist and represent the future of the art form. [...] Otamendi also convincingly imbues Red with an intellectual air that he conveys without coming across as arrogant, but perhaps pedantic, as another character describes him. Mostly, though, Red comes across as an enthusiastic and bright individual who has an easy time expressing himself. [...] Leonardo Urbina's realistic lighting illuminates performers at appropriate times, and turns unmistakably red when one or more artists err with their drawings. [...] During its young theatrical lifetime so far, LakehouseRanchDotPNG has proven to be a bold theater company unafraid to produce meaty, avant-garde and relevant fare. In fact, Lakehouse, founded in 2022, won the Silver Palm Award for Outstanding New/Emerging Theater Company in 2023. Undoubtedly, this is a group to watch and a welcome addition to the rich, strong South Florida live theatrical landscape. - Aaron Krause, Florida Theater on Stage