Review: ‘An Ode to Parenting’ at Stephanie Feury Studio Theatre
- Dondre Tuck
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
“An Ode to Parenting,” written and directed by Chance Lang and presented at the Stephanie Feury Studio Theatre, is a collection of five, two-person vignettes that explore parenting as an ongoing experience shaped by love, sacrifice and personal evolution. Each piece stands on its own while contributing to a larger examination of family, touching on themes of generational humor, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), adoption and the desire for parental acceptance.
The performances feel grounded and honest across the board. Every actor brings vulnerability and truth to their role, and the chemistry within each pairing feels genuine. Ben Carr as Pat and Gianni Magna as Zayne in “I Didn’t Know” create a steady and believable dynamic that captures the tension and emotional weight of the piece. In “Poisoned by Beans,” Lauren Corona as Autum and Caleb D. Fietsam as Cooper deliver equally grounded work, making their characters’ relationship feel lived-in and accessible.
As both playwright and director, Lang makes it clear this material is personal, but he allows the actors space to embody the work in their own ways. The blocking is tight and intentional, with movement that feels natural and supports the emotional beats of each vignette. Sightlines are well considered, making it easy to stay connected to the performances in the theatre’s intimate space. Pacing moves cleanly from one scene to the next, with no vignette overstaying its welcome or feeling rushed.
Set design first places the action in a modest kitchen and dining area, with a wooden table and two chairs centered on a patterned rug, backed by a refrigerator, shelving unit, stove and sink. This setup grounds the first half of the show in a familiar domestic environment that supports the realism of those scenes. After intermission, the space shifts as the sink and refrigerator are replaced with an olive-green couch and a small portable bar, signaling a change in tone and circumstance for the remaining pieces.
Lighting is sharp and specific to each vignette, giving each scene its own identity and helping the audience transition between stories. And sound is used sparingly but effectively. Moments like the sound of children playing in “To Chiming In” and the recurring phone ringing in “Unconditional” add texture without distracting from the performances.
Themes of identity and acceptance resonate throughout the production. Each vignette offers a different perspective, making it easy to connect with at least one of the relationships, whether from the perspective of a parent or a child. In “Unconditional,” Derrick (James Lemire) states that “everyone has to learn to love in their own way,” a line that captures the core idea running through the entire production.
The audience remained engaged throughout a recent performance, with visible reactions ranging from quiet reflection to recognition. This is a thoughtful and cohesive production that holds attention from start to finish and leaves a lasting impression. It deserves to be seen as a strong piece of work, with only a minor distraction in a lingering smoke smell at the end of “Poisoned by Beans” briefly pulling focus from an otherwise immersive experience.
“An Ode to Parenting” ran from April 10 to 26 at the Stephanie Feury Studio Theatre, 5636 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. Run time is 2 hours, including intermission. For more information, visit ChanceLang.co.
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