The Stranger

Despite its three high-school protagonists (one's out, one's closeted, and one's pregnant) and its after-school-special plot points (a teacher who molests his students, censorship at the school paper), Speech & Debate isn't an issues play. It's a sprawling, highly charged brawl of fast jokes and teenage pathos played out in empty classrooms, local coffee shops, and teenage bedrooms—and a dissertation on that awkward era when we began to swap out childhood enthusiasm for grown-up dignity. (Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. 2 and 7:30 pm, $22–$37. Through Feb 21.) by Brendan Kiley

Link  |  Post Comment (3)