Dance Party, USA

D: Aaron Katz; with Anna Kaven, Cole Pensinger, Ryan White, Sarah Bing, Natalie Buller, Brendan McFadden, Chad Hartigan, Bryna Smith

Everyone’s been to a lame party where all the conversation is forced and all the goers are stoned. Dance Party, USA is that party drawn out in two days. Although it’s absolutely true to life and peppered with hilarious moments – “I love to say ‘slut,'” main character Gus comments offhand; “You should know,” Gus’ best friend Bill admits, “I spent three months in military school … in seventh grade” – it takes patience and endurance to stay up all night with these teenage philosophers. Delving beneath skin level and examining the mind of an 18-next-week boy, Dance Party is challenging, gritty, and true. Gus, proud of his bad reputation, has an attack of conscience, blurting out his wrongdoings to new challenge Jessica. Smartass Bill moves on to Gus’ ex-girlfriend, Christie, with Gus’ best wishes, of course. Oh, what a tangled web we weave in our formative years.

1:30pm, Alamo Downtown

This article appears in March 17 • 2006.

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