Teeth

Last night, I had the unforgettable experience of watching Teeth at New World Stages, with book and lyrics by Michael R. Jackson (Tony-award winning writer of A Strange Loop) and music by Anna K. Jacobs. Now in previews, the show officially opens October 31, 2024. The show takes a campy, horror-comedy approach to themes that hit incredibly close to home for me, as someone who grew up in a church environment almost identical to the one portrayed on stage. With promise rings, purity pledges, and "dates" with fathers to ensure daughters stayed "pure," this world feels all too familiar. Jackson and Jacobs capture this atmosphere with razor-sharp accuracy, weaving in biting humor, horror, and moments of unsettling authenticity.

Alyse Alan Louis’s portrayal of Dawn O'Keefe was spot-on; she is the evangelical Christian teen girl I remember from my youth. From the modest costume design to her expressions, she captures that earnest, awkward sincerity that feels so real to those of us who grew up in this environment. Vocally, she’s incredible—I could listen to her sing all day.

Andy Karl’s performance as Pastor Bill O'Keefe nailed the exaggerated (although not much so, if I'm being honest), fire-and-brimstone persona of an evangelical pastor, yet his delivery felt eerily true to life. Having grown up hearing phrases like his every Wednesday night at youth group, I can say that Karl’s portrayal perfectly captures that strange bubble of evangelical rhetoric I grew up in. Michael R. Jackson doesn’t shy away from confronting toxic religiosity, and his understanding of the nuances of evangelical culture—down to the very terminology—creates a character who is both exaggerated and uncomfortably authentic.

The musical score by Anna K. Jacobs is fitting and fun, and really, really good. It’s catchy, humorous, and Jackson's layered it with lyrics that let each character shine in their own way. Jacobs described the score as "an ancient feminine Tori Amos meets Stravinsky pagan ritual music," which is spot on. There’s a rocky, visceral feel to it that works beautifully with the story. Songs like "Modest is Hottest" capture the absurdity of evangelical "purity" culture in hilarious fashion, as a duet between Dawn and Tobey wherein they discuss all they want to "do" to each other, if you follow my meaning. Jason Gotay brings a disturbing edge to Tobey, who becomes Dentata's first victim after he basically forces himself on Dawn. His aggressive entitlement, masked under a guise of religious purity, contrasts starkly with Dawn’s growing fear and uncertainty, serving as a pointed critique of the ways purity culture is weaponized.

Will Connolly delivers a memorable performance as Brad, Dawn's step-brother, whose storyline reveals a darker layer within the show. Brad becomes involved with an online group called the Truthseekers—a gathering of young men who share resentment and hostility toward women. These groups, often referred to as “incels” (involuntarily celibate men), are known for their misogynistic beliefs and self-identification as victims, blaming women for their lack of romantic or sexual success. Connolly plays Brad with a mix of anger and vulnerability, showing how his character is drawn into this toxic mindset. The subplot adds a chilling counterpoint to Dawn’s story, highlighting how different characters in the same restrictive environment find equally damaging ways to cope. "Always the Woman" further emphasizes this theme, capturing the hypocrisy and blame placed on women, even when it's men who are responsible for harmful actions. The song’s sharp lyrics reveal the deeply ingrained misogyny in these characters' worldviews, hitting hard with its brutal honesty.

The staging was creatively done, with fluid movements and characters taking advantage of the two levels of the set. The Promise Keeper Girls acted as a versatile ensemble, constantly shifting between background characters and ambient singers, anchoring the scenes and setting the tone throughout. The set itself felt like a perfect recreation of a cheaply built church basement from the era, complete with wood paneling and even water damage dripping down the walls. Seeing that detail—the water damage—blew my mind; it was a level of realism I didn’t expect but appreciated deeply.

The show balances its horror, comedy, and camp so perfectly that it really resonated with me. The electric cross that hangs over the stage, ever-present, was a hauntingly brilliant choice, reflecting that constant reminder of authority and judgment. And as someone who sat in the “splash zone” (second row, center orchestra), I can say that being part of the show in this way created a shared experience with everyone around me. The splash zone in Teeth doesn’t quite match the intensity of Evil Dead the Musical—where gallons of blood drench the audience—but it still made for a fun touch, with each of us helping each other into our ponchos before the performance started. There were plenty of gasps, laughs, and moments of shocked silence in the audience, especially as the show confronts harsh, controversial language. Jackson uses some outdated, derogatory terms that confront the audience head-on, drawing us into the reality and challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in these spaces. He uses this language to push boundaries and to immerse us in the characters' emotional landscapes, reminding us of the darker side of this story’s world.

This tension plays out compellingly through the character of Ryan, a closeted young man navigating his identity in a restrictive, judgmental environment. Jared Loftin’s portrayal of Ryan feels deeply layered; he balances the character’s moments of humor with an underlying vulnerability. Songs like “Born Again” reveal his inner turmoil in ways that resonate, as Ryan orchestrates an uncomfortable confession among the Promise Keeper Girls while navigating his own repressed feelings. Later, his duet with Dawn, “I’m Your Guy,” is filled with both humor and heartbreak as he tries to “prove” his heterosexuality by exploiting Dawn's own shame. Loftin delivers a complex performance that emphasizes Ryan’s desperate attempts to fit in, even at the cost of those around him.

Visually, the costumes were perfect for the setting, especially with Dawn and the Promise Keeper Girls clad in clothes that epitomize the modesty expected in this community. Each detail, from the basement set to the electric cross to the costumes, helped transport me back to that world in a way that was both hilarious and unsettling.

From the initial drop of the scrim to the surprising ending, I loved every moment of Teeth. It’s a wild ride of a show—campy, gut-wrenching, and thought-provoking. For anyone who grew up in evangelical spaces or who wants a taste of its surreal, at times oppressive, atmosphere, this musical is an absolute must-see.