OKLAHOMA CITY — Co.Arts Theater is debuting a new work by writer Chip Keebaugh for audiences this weekend only.
Based on real events in the 1400s, “Grœnland” is a dark and powerful commentary on societies and how they survive, or die, in the face of adversity and fear.
Presented at the intimate Te Ata Theatre upstairs at the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, this play is a hefty three-hour journey into a world that history has all but forgotten.
A cast of seven work together, and at times against each other, for the duration of the play, each portraying a different citizen in Greenland.
Meanwhile, climate change is wreaking havoc on their land, destroying their crops and livestock, all while a glacier is slowly approaching, threatening their very lives.
A mix of well-known locals and new-to-OKC performers makes up the cast. Each one pulls their own weight for the dialogue-heavy show, one that seems to just get heavier as the night progresses.
The small community is facing pressures from all sides. Their Norse heritage is being pushed out by a priest who’s come to the island to colonize. He is seeking to create a Christian nation and villainize the traditional Pagan culture.
The priest is portrayed by local great David Fletcher-Hall. He’s a mix of sinister and promising as he seeks to change the world for the community and its citizens.
Garrett Langley is buoyant as Talis, and his star is one that shines too briefly in this performance.
Always a sure-bet, Isaiah Williams portrays Olafsson, a man both warm and comforting, yet fearful and unsure at times. Williams also provides much-needed comedic relief during moments when the intensity builds to a breaking point.
A standout performance is given by Ariel Celeste. Celeste is poised and controlled, a difficult feat considering the plight of her character. She carries every scene she’s in, and the audience is on her side from start to bitter end.
Jonathan Lynch is Kolgrim, and his mother is portrayed by Christine Lanning. They don’t share enough scenes to really build that familial bond, and this is something that could be tweaked in further productions. The love of a mother is unlike anything else in the world, and it’s a universal relationship that transcends time. While the two have chemistry, they simply don’t get enough chances to build the depth of their connection. Their pivotal scene will be more impactful if this dynamic is given a chance to blossom and grow in future productions.
Killian Finch rounds out the cast as Thorgrim, the would-be villain in a play that is full of ambiguity and subtext. Finch is a force, at times out verbalizing his co-players. Finch is a strong performer and certainly makes a startling entrance for every scene he’s in.
Director Lauren Linsey does a robust job of marrying the characters and the mounting pressures of the story. Keebaugh’s script is thought-provoking, and at times shows glimmers of true brilliance.
The main “flaw”, if one can be found in an experimental piece such as this, is that it’s simply too long. Further edits to tighten the script would no doubt bring it to a place of perfect timing.
All in all, it’s with bravery and boldness that Co.Arts presents this new work, and it couldn’t come at a better time for the world as we know it.
“Grœnland” runs this weekend only – through August 17th, 2025 – at Oklahoma Contemporary.
The museum and performance hall is located in Automobile Alley at 11 NW 11th Street in Oklahoma City. Performances are upstairs in the beautiful black-box style Te Ata Theatre. Tickets are available online at www.coarts.co.
Adrienne Proctor is a theater and arts writer in Oklahoma City. She's been contributing to the arts reporting space since 2017.
