Spike Manton and Harry Teinowitz’s new play, Another Shot, captures the serious subjects of sobriety and alcoholism with wit and humor, creating a shockingly honest portrayal of addiction.
Loosely based on a true story, the play follows a sports radio personality from Chicago, Harry Teinowitz (Dan Butler). Harry’s life changes after he is arrested for a DUI and forced to go to a rehab facility to keep his job. There, he meets an encouraging therapist — and a stand-up magician — Barb (Portia), who leads daily group therapy with Harry and four other rehab patients. Through humorous banter and hard conversations, Harry sheds his nonchalant persona and begins his road to recovery.
The show is immersive, taking place in a small black box theatre. During vulnerable group therapy scenes, the characters form a circle around the stage, their chairs only a few inches from the first row of the audience. This decision allows viewers to feel like active participants rather than passive viewers, adding to the raw vulnerability of the play. The story is a flashback, framed by Harry speaking at an alcoholics anonymous meeting post-recovery. He often breaks the fourth wall during scenes to crack jokes or add context, interacting heavily with the audience. During some of the scene changes, snippets from an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting played, creating a more complex and nuanced commentary on addiction and sobriety.
Gregg Mozgala (Isaiah) and Chiké Johnson (Vince). Photos credits: Joan Marcus (2024)
Chiké Johnson, who plays recovering addict Vince, delivers a standout performance. Vince acts as a mentor to his peers, offering advice and encouraging sobriety. He is committed to his recovery, choosing to go back to rehab rather than being forced by family or friends. Vince takes an interest in George (Quentin Nguyễn-duy), a 25-year-old who constantly relapses and skips group therapy meetings. Johnson’s acting is an emotional rock throughout the production, especially in an intense scene where he defends George to another rehab patient, Isaiah (Gregg Mozgala) who is tired of George’s relapses. During his monologue about familial trauma, Johnson truly embodies Vince, moving the audience to tears with a chilling story about his father. He also shines in comedic moments, especially when talking about his overbearing girlfriend, who brings him cheesy stuffed animals and calls in about four times a day.
Samantha Mathis (Andrea) and Portia (Barb). Photo credit: Joan Marcus (2024)
The journey to sobriety is different for everyone, a point the play emphasizes. For instance, Andrea (Samantha Mathis), another patient, is at her fifth rehab facility and faces a unique stigma as a female alcoholic. She has no familial support, highlighting that not everyone has loved ones to lean on during recovery. Harry’s experience also stands out, as he denies his alcoholism for the majority of the play. He only comes to terms with his addiction after reading a letter from his daughter, acting as a turning point for his character.
With raw, grounded emotion and witty one-liners, Another Shot is a show to remember.
“Another Shot” is showing at the Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre at the Signature Center and running through January. Tickets are available for purchase on Another Shot’s website.
