Entering the Black Box Theater for KO’s recent fall performance of The Grown Ups, the audience is transported around the campfire of Camp Indigo, replete with inches deep of mulch, the scent of pine, and s’mores roasting.  The five young counselors, a tad older than the campers in their charge, are wrestling with the responsibilities of adulthood as an undefined, possibly apocalyptic, national emergency has occurred outside of their idyll. The counselors become the de facto adults as their head counselor abandons the camp and must entertain and protect the youngsters without alarming them.

The strength of The Grown Ups lies in its rich character development and the authenticity with which the actors breathe life into their roles. The ensemble cast delivered stellar performances, each actor embodying the struggles, joys, and dilemmas of being a grown-up in a society that constantly demands more. Every performance felt genuine and relatable. Cassie, the newest counselor who doesn’t (or does?) share a history at the camp, challenges the other counselors’ blind embrace of camp traditions. “I guess it’s just a question of what you care about more,” says Cassie. “Taking the best care of these kids that you can? Or doing things the way you’ve always done them.”

The play skillfully weaves together humor and suspense, making the audience laugh one moment and reflect the next. The witty and profound dialogue is a testament to the playwright’s keen understanding of human nature. It effortlessly captures the essence of individuals’ struggles as they grapple with responsibilities, aspirations, and the inevitability of change.

One of the play’s notable strengths is its ability to balance universal themes and individual stories. While exploring the shared experiences of adulthood, “The Grown Ups” recognizes the uniqueness of each character’s journey. The narrative invites introspection, prompting audience members to reflect on their own lives and choices. The play demands an examination of the journey to adulthood that we all take for granted and asks us to consider, “Who is really in charge?”

Cassie ……………………………………………………………………..Anissa Lewis
(Understudy: Cherry Zhang)
Lukas ………………………………………………………………………….Leo Kollen
(Understudy: Gordon Beck)
Aidan ……………………………………………………………………..Miles Gruber
(Understudy: Teague Shamleffer)
Becca …………………………………………………………………………Sarah Balog
(Understudy: Molly Palmer)
Maeve ……………………………………………………………………..Meagan Rose
(Understudy: Lucy Ybarra)

PRODUCTION STAFF

Director………………………………………………………………..Kyle Reynolds
Technical Director………………………………………………Michael J. Bane
Student Assistant Director…………………………….Teague Shamleffer
Lighting Technician……………………………………………Logan Michalak
Sound Technician…………………………………………………Matthew Belo
Stage Crew………………………………………………. Anna Burnham, Nika
Garfield, Annie O’Connor, Marco Ramirez, Ryan Sadowsky
Set Construction & Painting…………………………………..Gordon Beck,

Matthew Belo, Anna Burnham, Kamea Davis, Nika Garfield, Bev-
erly Li, Logan Michalak, Annie O’Connor, Carlotta Patroni, Marco

Ramirez, Ryan Sadowsky, Helen Wang, Cherry Zhang