Small town Foggy Bluffs, New York has things that bump in the night, but can a group of young sleuths solve the case?

With compelling direction by Josh Glenn-Kayden, Company One Theatre in partnership with The Theater Offensive and the Boston Public Library presents The Interrobangers, a new play by M Sloth Levine live and in person at the Central Branch of the Boston Public Library through February 24.  The productions is free with pay what you want tickets and action is not limited to the stage.  The Interrobangers is recommended for ages 13 and up.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Quaint, old towns can have such history including spooky legends, myths, and strange occurrences.   Foggy Bluffs, New York is no exception but here also lies a big secret beneath its quiet façade. Accompanied by an adorable dog named Hoover, childhood friends Zodiac, Hank, Luna, and Dani must band together to uncover just what this little town has been hiding.

Founded in 1691, set designer Danielle DeLaFuente with Projections Designer Maria Servellon has carved out Foggy Bluffs, an impressive and realistic fictional town with rolling fog, haunting landscapes, and lively and colorful hangouts such as the Jackalope, Flatwoods Pizza, and Roswell’s Thrift n’ Find which is complete with a wide selection of authentic Foggy Bluffs souvenirs.  The occasional grainy vintage town video footage is also a real treat.  Lighting designer Elmer Martinez with sound designer Anna Drummond keeps the exciting pace of its interspersed friendly and eerie lighting as Drummond delivers a catchy and funky soundtrack.

Taking place sometime in the 80s, the production has the earmarks of a Scooby-Doo vibe and it is amazing to observe the overall zany, spooky, and thoughtful tone including the making of a familiar van.   E. Rosser’s trendy and multihued costume design highlights each character’s distinct personalities.  Even during its comedic moments though, it tackles the angst, confusion, pressure to be perfect, identity, peer pressure, acceptance, trauma and other serious topics kids can experience growing up.  An interrobanger is described as a bundle of emotions wrapped up into one word and suitably describes the show that delivers light and reflection in a unique manner.

It delves into the nature of friendship from a dynamic cast who share a warm and engaging rapport.   Friendship as children grow up that may sometimes mean growing apart or those rare friends that even if time has passed, they can still find their groove.  How a class president portrayed by Schanaya Barrows as Dani, a timid yet brilliant student depicted by Jenine Florence Jacinto as Luna, a fascinating and troubled bohemian portrayed by Anderson Stinson III as Zodiac with Jupiter Lê in a remarkable depiction of Zodiac’s energetic and empathetic dog Hoover, and popular jock depicted by Jay Connolly as Hank form a mischievous group that all might have more in common than they realize. 

Each character offers engaging and nuanced performances, especially Stinson as Zodiac who movingly depicts what it is like to struggle with issues that cannot easily be explained and still remain an open, inquisitive and loving person.  In a gray suit and aviator sunglasses, Alex Jacobs is a hypnotic force as the mysterious Mr. Dahl to show that even a little town like Foggy Bluffs always has a mystery to be solved.

With compelling direction by Josh Glenn-Kayden, Company One Theatre in partnership with The Theater Offensive and the Boston Public Library presents The Interrobangers, a new play by M Sloth Levine live and in person at the Central Branch of the Boston Public Library through February 24.  The productions is free with pay what you want tickets and action is not limited to the stage.  The Interrobangers is recommended for ages 13 and up.  Click here for more information and for tickets.