Jordan Hall’s debut play, Kayak, continues to make waves in the theater world, and the current production at A Wilde Theatre in Brighton, MI, proves why this play has gathered such critical acclaim. With a mere four-show run from August 15-18, 2024, the production is a captivating reflection on contemporary issues and personal struggle.

The play, which won the Samuel French’s Canadian Playwrights Competition and has been praised across North America, is a compelling blend of personal drama and broader societal commentary. Kayak follows Annie Iversen, an overly-devoted suburban mother, expertly portrayed by Angela Dill. Annie finds herself physically and metaphorically adrift in her son’s old kayak, recounting the series of events that led her to this unusual predicament.

Angela Dill delivers an exceptional performance as Annie, capturing her character’s emotional range and internal conflict with remarkable precision. Dill’s portrayal brings a sense of vulnerability and desperation to the role, keeping the audience deeply invested in her journey. The intimate staging of the kayak, an inventive challenge for director Lynn Wilde, becomes a powerful symbol of Annie’s isolation and struggle.

Cooper Verseman and Olivia Goosman also shine in their roles as Peter and Julie, respectively. Verseman’s portrayal of Peter brings a genuine warmth to the role of the son caught between his mother and his passionate partner. Goosman, a returning favorite at A Wilde Theatre, infuses Julie with an intensity and conviction that highlights the ideological clash central to the play’s conflict. The dynamic between these three characters drives the narrative and illuminates the play’s thematic concerns.

Lynn Wilde’s directorial vision effectively brings Hall’s script to life, using creative staging techniques to reflect Annie’s shifting perspectives and memories. The kayak becomes a central piece of the set, and Wilde’s use of this confined space to represent various emotional states and flashbacks is both inventive and impactful. The set design by Al Pelky, though minimalist, complements the play’s themes with its simple yet evocative elements—a full-size kayak and protest signs detailing global issues like deforestation and melting ice caps.

Special mention must be made of Madison June and Chuck Edwards, whose voice work as newscasters adds a layer of realism and urgency to the play’s depiction of environmental crises. Their contributions enhance the play’s immersive quality, bridging the gap between the personal and the global.

Kayak is an intense, emotionally charged piece that runs just over an hour without an intermission, yet manages to pack a substantial punch. Hall’s script is rich with metaphor, drawing parallels between Annie’s attempts to save her family and the Biblical story of Noah’s Ark. Just as Noah sought to preserve life amid catastrophe, Annie’s actions reflect her desperate desire to shield her son from perceived danger, even as she confronts her own fears and limitations.

This production is a must-see. It not only highlights the challenges of contemporary life but also invites the audience to reflect on their own roles in the larger narrative of our world. Remember, we are all in the same boat.