'Speech & Debate' makes a winning argument

The synopsis of Stephen Karam's "Speech & Debate" reads like a plot outline from a John Hughes film. Misfit teens form a high-school forensics team and, in the process, uncover truths about themselves as their initially antagonist relationship evolves into friendship.

But Karam's keen coming-of-age tale has it all over such chronicles of teenage angst as "The Breakfast Club" and "Sixteen Candles." Yes, "Speech & Debate" strikes a familiar chord. But its hip humor, unassuming honesty and the respect it has for lonely teens negotiating adolescence make up for the occasional plot and character cliches.

American Theater Company's production marks the second collaboration between Karam and new ATC artistic director PJ Paparelli. The two co-wrote the riveting "columbinus," an examination of teenage outsiders who committed the Columbine High School murders, that Raven Theatre produced earlier this year. So far, they're batting a thousand.

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Paparelli's smart, swift production stars Patrick Andrews, Jared McGuire and Sadieh Rifai, whose bold, self-aware performances as angsty, hyper-articulate teens are as convincing as they come.

Andrews plays lonely Howie, the openly gay new kid who trolls the Internet for romance and finds it with the high school drama teacher. McGuire is the whip-smart Solomon, a crusading 16-year-old reporter struggling with his sexuality who may have been taken advantage of by a teacher. The terrific Rifai plays Webcast diva Diwata, an aspiring actress denied a role in the school play by the drama teacher who doesn't recognize her talent. The trio forms a speech team at their Salem, Ore., high school (a contemporary cobalt and steel set by designer Keith Pitts) to expose the hypocrisy of (and exact a little vengeance on) the aforementioned teacher. But their witch hunt really involves advancing their own agendas. For Solomon, that means getting a paper to print his story on the sex scandal involving Howie and the teacher. For Diwata, it means getting the spotlight denied her. And for Howie, it means getting the others to support his proposed gay-straight student alliance.

Rounding out the cast is the always impressive Cheryl Graeff who does double duty as a teacher afraid to buck the school's conservative administration and as a self-serving reporter who, like the teens, uses others to advance her own interests.

"Speech Debate"

Rating: 3 stars

Location: American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron St., Chicago

Times: 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays through May 25

Running Time: About 100 minutes, no intermission

Tickets: $30, $35

Parking: Limited street parking

Box office: (773) 409-4125 or www.atcweb.org

Rating: For high school and older; references adult subjects, sexual situations