Chasing Love and Laughter in the Eccentric Charm of I'm Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire
Attending the performance of “I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire” at Southwark Playhouse was an unforgettable experience. This play, written by Samantha Hurley and directed by Tyler Struble, is a wild ride through the mind of a teenage girl obsessed with the early 2000s heartthrob, Tobey Maguire.
The story revolves around Shelby Hinkley, a 14-year-old girl from South Dakota, who kidnaps Tobey Maguire and holds him hostage in her basement. The set, designed by Rodrigo Hernandez Martinez, is a visual feast, with Shelby’s fuzzy-pink bedroom upstage and the audience seated on either side of the dingy cellar where Tobey is trapped. The walls are plastered with magazine cut-outs of Tobey, evoking the early 2000s era with a lava lamp and a puppet show featuring a Furby and a Merman Barbie doll.
Tessa Albertson delivers a standout performance as Shelby. She embodies the character’s volatile hormones and teen angst with a manic energy that is both hilarious and unnerving. Her portrayal of Shelby’s budding sexuality and obsessive behavior is both relatable and cringe-worthy. Anders Hayward, as Tobey Maguire, brings a calm and introspective presence to the stage, providing a perfect counterbalance to Shelby’s chaos.
Janae Robinson’s performance is another highlight. She plays multiple roles, including Shelby’s unseen mother and a real estate agent named Brenda Dee Cankles. Her comedic timing and physicality add an extra layer of humor to the production. Kyle Birch, doubling as Tobey’s conscience and a vaguely sinister estate agent, also delivers an entertaining performance.
The play explores themes of celebrity culture, fantasy, and the inconsistencies between a celebrity’s public and private persona. Shelby’s wild behavior is reframed as a cry for affection and stability amid her turbulent life2. Director Tyler Struble masterfully balances the play’s dark humor with moments of genuine insight, making it a thought-provoking and entertaining experience.
From the moment you enter the theater, you are immersed in Shelby’s world. The inventive set design and the actors’ engaging performances make you feel like a member of Shelby’s fan club. The play’s pacing is generally effective, although some scenes could benefit from a bit of trimming.
“I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire” is a bold, hilarious, and unforgettable night of theater. It offers a unique blend of humor, nostalgia, and poignant observations about the nature of fandom and the search for identity. If you have the chance to see it, don’t miss out on this wild and entertaining journey.
