OKLAHOMA CITY — The closing production of Carpenter Square Theatre’s 41st season is the fantasy adventure play She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen. Directed by the multifaceted talent Isaiah Williams, She Kills Monsters takes the audience on an epic journey of emotional and fantastical proportions.
This play is an homage to the game Dungeons and Dragons, both for the intricate details of how to play and for the connections it forges between its players.
Dungeons and Dragons, commonly referred to by the acronym DnD, is a fantasy role-playing game that reached peak popularity in the 1990s.
The story is set in 1995, where a recent college graduate, and the overall average, Agnes Evans, loses her parents and younger sister in a car crash.
While cleaning out her sister Tilly’s room, Agnes finds a notebook with a Dungeons & Dragons module that her sister wrote.
Seeking the help of Tilly’s friend, DnD Dungeon Master Chuck Biggs, Agnes decides to play the role and dive into the fantasy world of her sister’s creation. Along the way, Agnes embarks on an emotional journey into the complex inner world of a teenage girl.
Williams has assembled a strong ensemble cast of local pros, all willing to collaborate to create a world of fantasy and adventure. Alix Golden is Agnes, and Kaylan Ferrell is Tilly.
While Tilly has passed in the “real” world, she remains alive and thriving within the game. Agnes seeks her out and finds more than she expected. Goldin and Ferrell have a beautiful dynamic, both trying to understand each other while remaining truthful to themselves.
Tilly’s mystical friends within the DnD world include a devilish woman, a powerful elf, and a disenfranchised god. Samantha Parker as the elven woman Kaliope is ethereal and enchanting. Alex Sena as Lilith is a powerful force. Comedic relief is given in the form of Orcus, played by Andrew Smith. The reluctant crew, led by Tilly, embraces Agnes as they band together to face whatever awaits them at each roll of the dice.
Jordan Kosanke gives standout performances as Dungeon Master Chuck, and Max Mauer as Steve. Peter Fischaber is long-suffering as Agnes’s boyfriend Miles, and Elena Weinbender is simply hilarious as the unconventional school guidance counselor Vera.
Nobody is having more fun than Grace Parker and Rainey Denison. They have the unique chance to portray evil succubus demons, also known as high school cheerleaders.
The ensemble is strong in this play, and they transition seamlessly from normal high schoolers to high-stakes fantasy warriors from one scene to the next. The comedic timing is unmatched and perfectly breaks up the emotional tension.
As Agnes continues through the game, she comes to realize increasingly that she never really knew the sister she lost. The emotional impact of this revelation hits hardest as Agnes starts to meet her sister’s friends outside of the game.
Williams is a force to be reckoned with as a director, and he’s been one to watch for years now. Smart decisions were made by CST Artistic Director Rhonda Clark to let Williams and his cast lead the way during this epic journey.
Set design by Ben Hall and lighting design by Samm Scobey set the scene and make this fantastical adventure come alive in full color. Costume design by Elin Bhaird is bright and engaging.
While not age-appropriate for the youngest of patrons, theater and gaming enthusiasts at around 13 and up will enjoy this exciting experience in the world of fantasy and adventure.
Carpenter Square Theatre has saved the best for last with this season’s closer. Their new location off Reno and Western has given them the creative space to produce larger shows than ever before, and they’re making the most of it.
She Kills Monsters runs through July 27, 2025, at Carpenter Square Theatre, 1009 W. Reno Ave in Oklahoma City. Individual tickets for the final show of season 41, as well as season tickets for their upcoming Season 42, are on sale now. Visit carpentersquare.com.
Adrienne Proctor is a theater and arts writer in Oklahoma City. She's been contributing to the arts reporting space since 2017.
