Theatre Factory tackles deep issues in 'She Kills Monsters'

A game of Dungeons and Dragons holds the key to secrets about a deceased relative in Qui Nguyen’s contemporary play, “She Kills Monsters,” being performed Feb. 28-March 8 at The Theatre Factory in Trafford.

The play focuses on a young woman, Agnes Evans, trying to come to terms with the loss of her younger sister, Tilly, who died in a car crash.

Agnes Evans is played by Randi Walker of Monroeville, and Tilly Evans is played by Kiah Harrington-Wymer of Brookville.

Harrington-Wymer describes her character as “geeky and a lover of all things nerdy, especially Dungeons and Dragons. A world full of mystical creatures and magical adventures is where she finds her strength and sense of self.”

Tilly is complex, and navigating through her complexities to find what’s at the core of her character is both challenging and exciting, she says.

World of imagination

In the play, Agnes finds a notebook containing Tilly’s final Dungeons and Dragons adventure scenario. Through Tilly’s story, Agnes is able to reconnect with her sister and find a new side of her hidden among fairies, ogres and beasts in her world of imagination.

“As soon as I researched this show, I knew I wanted to audition,” Harrington-Wymer said. “It’s an incredible tale of adventure, human connection and friendship.”

In the play, Agnes recruits a “dungeon master” named Chuck Biggs to help her understand and grieve Tilly through the fantasy role-playing game.

Brandon Farneth of New Kensington, who portrays Chuck, says his character is a lot like himself.

“He is just a fun, nerdy dude – although he’ll tell you he’s no nerd, he’s a ‘lady killer’ – who is into Dungeons and Dragons, Star Wars and The Smashing Pumpkins.”

Deep issues

The play “tackles deep issues like love, death, grief and sexuality, all the while making you laugh. That’s what I really think makes this show worth seeing,” Farneth says. “Whether you love D and D or just miss the 90s, you are going to want to come see this show.

“I mean, who doesn’t want to see mythical creatures fighting to some 90s music?”

Farneth is a recent graduate of the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, where he directed “Young Frankenstein.”

Directing The Theatre Factory’s production of “She Kills Monsters” is Matt Mlynarski of Lower Burrell. He directed a high school edition of the show in fall 2015 for Kiski Area High School.

Mlynarski was able to borrow costumes and props for his current show.

“I have an extremely talented group of actors and a lot of awesome costumes, puppets and props, thanks to the generosity of Seton Hill University – my alma mater – and the University of Pittsburgh,” he says. “This really helps in separating the worlds and moving the show along.”

Seton Hill University Theatre presented a production of “She Kills Monsters” in 2015.

The director said that “She Kills Monsters” contains both comedy and important messages about the bonds of siblings, dealing with the death of loved ones and how to communicate through differences.

Kick-butt combat

“I think anyone with a heart will walk away with it warmed and will also get to see some kick-butt stage combat, laughs in every scene and a battle with a dragon,” Mlynarski says. “I don’t think many other plays offer that.”

Mlynarski also has directed “Blithe Spirit” for Apple Hill Playhouse, and “Heathers the Musical” and “Pippin” for The Theatre Factory.

The cast of “She Kills Monsters” at The Theatre Factory also includes Elise Brado, Kaitlin Cliber, Kaylyn Farneth, Brendan Karras, Devin Marshal, Zach Metkler, Betsy Novotny and Katie Kerr Springer.