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Cousins stumble into adulthood in Goodman Theatre's 'Twilight Bowl'

“Twilight Bowl” - ★ ★ ★ ½

Resentment and rivalry strike early and often in “Twilight Bowl,” Chicago playwright Rebecca Gilman's latest world-premiere play for the Goodman Theatre.

Indeed, Gilman (“Boy Gets Girl,” “Luna Gale”) doesn't pull any punches as she dramatizes the struggles, inequities and opposing views faced by young women in rural Wisconsin in the richly involving “Twilight Bowl.”

The play begins with an awkward birthday/going away party in the bar of the titular bowling alley. The birthday girl, Jaycee (Heather Chrisler), will soon be incarcerated for helping her father illegally obtain prescription opioids.

In sharp contrast, her cousin Sam (Becca Savoy) will be heading off to Ohio State University on a bowling scholarship.

Sharlene (Anne E. Thompson), the overtly Christian friend in the bunch, tries to smooth things over by asking everyone to share a happy or meaningful memory of Jaycee before she opens her birthday gifts. Instead, Clarice (Hayley Burgess) opts for a crudely hilarious anecdote before hurling recriminations at Jaycee for her criminal behavior.

Jaycee (Heather Chrisler) shares her doubts about going to prison in the world premiere of Rebecca Gilman's "Twilight Bowl" at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. Courtesy of Liz Lauren/Goodman Theatre

Each of the women experiences moments of anger and defiance. But Gilman soon reveals that fear and doubt also churn within these once-close cousins and friends, who have aged into adulthood with drastically different prospects.

In “Twilight Bowl,” Gilman dives headlong into contemporary American class and wealth disparities. Key sequences set over the Thanksgiving break hilariously show bowling alley employee and college drop-out-by-choice Brielle (Mary Taylor) dealing with Sam's demanding new school friend, Maddy (Angela Morris).

Brielle (Mary Taylor), left, deals with Sam's wealthy North Shore college friend, Maddy (Angela Morris), in the world premiere of Rebecca Gilman's "Twilight Bowl" at the Goodman Theatre. Courtesy of Liz Lauren/Goodman Theatre

Sneaking cannabis hits from her vape pen and boasting about her North Shore background at New Trier High School, Maddy blabs loudly and speedily about everything (particularly about an unplanned pregnancy). Meanwhile Sam is in crisis mode because she's not adapting well to college and is at risk of losing her scholarship.

With “Twilight Bowl,” Gilman dramatizes the key moments in life when young people become aware that they need to move on from blaming their parents for their situations and setbacks. At the same time, the drama functions as an unsettling snapshot of steep college expenses and limited career prospects faced by working-class Americans.

Clarice (Hayley Burgess), left, Brielle (Mary Taylor) and Sharlene (Anne Thompson) discuss the erratic behavior of their imprisoned friend, Jaycee, in the world premiere of Rebecca Gilman's “Twilight Bowl.” Courtesy of Liz Lauren/Goodman Theatre

Director Erica Weiss and her fine cast mine Gilman's script both for darker drama and great moments of shocking and uncomfortable comedy. The thick Wisconsin accents sound spot-on, providing authenticity.

“Twilight Bowl” is also a visually comfortable experience thanks to Weiss' talented design team. Designer Regina Garcia's rough-around-the-edges bar set is picture-perfect, while sound designer Victoria Deiorio interjects characteristic bowling alley noises.

Winnetka native Maddy (Angela Morris) spends a fraught and cannabis-fueled Thanksgiving in rural Wisconsin in Rebecca Gilman's world-premiere drama "Twilight Bowl" at Chicago's Goodman Theatre. Courtesy of Liz Lauren/Goodman Theatre

Gilman has been open about the origins of “Twilight Bowl,” which grew out of a Big Ten Theatre Consortium of Schools commission of new plays featuring roles for women in their 20s.

The result is a strong working-class drama for our times, one that unflinchingly deals with young women defining themselves amid dead-end jobs, expensive college educations and the random luck of being born into privilege - or not.

<b>Location:</b> Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, (312) 443-3800 or goodmantheatre.org

<b>Showtimes:</b> 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday (also Feb. 26; no evening shows Feb. 24 or March 10), 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday (also March 2, 7 and 9); through March 10

<b>Running time:</b> About 90 minutes with no intermission

<b>Tickets:</b> $10-$45

<b>Parking:</b> Pay garages, limited metered parking

<b>Rating:</b> For mature teens and older; features drug use, frank sexual discussions and adult language

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