“Limp Wrist on the Lever” Steers Us to Comic ‘Conversion’ Camp—at Crowded Fire
Ashley Jaye and Kenny Scott. Photos by Cheshire Isaacs
Preston Choi Evokes Belly Laughs with Comedy & Terror
by Vasudeva Rao
After seeing “Limp Wrist on the Lever,” I was still thinking about the characters—the mark of theater that refuses to let us off easy. The hilarious satire leaves us with an uncomfortable realization that hurt people hurt other people.
I was surprised by Preston Choi’s dark comedy that displays oppressed teens becoming oppressors. Like Orwell’s Animal Farm, it sticks with you. Scenic Designer Jenna Lauren Caroll imaginatively uses hanging ropes, flashing lights, and a shape-shifting ghost.
Delightfully childish, three queer teens, Anita (Ashley Jaye), Charli (River Bermudez Sanders), and Zo (linda maria girón), bust out of their Christian Conversion Camp. But when their escape fails, they swiftly slip into torturing their sadistic counsellor Thomas (Kenny Scott). In broad comic style, these smart, super-politically aware kids convince themselves that gay oppression justifies any vengeful act.
Trans teen Charli emerges as a fascinating contradiction, as an earnest activist who keeps apologizing while doing terrible things. Charli spouts “consent protocols” to justify torture! It's absurd, like a Jordan Peele sketch, a parody of activists who police language while the world burns.
Sanders nails the conflict between genuine caring and moral blindness. With comic flair, they claim “good guy” status while doing terrible things.
Kenny Scott, Ashley Jaye, River Bermudez Sanders, and linda maria girón
As Zo, girón is all manic energy and righteous fury, asking reasonable questions at first: “Are words enough? Don't we need to take real action?” But then I thought: “Wait, what am I agreeing with here?” Brilliantly, girón builds Zo’s mad logic until we are laughing and cringing.
In the center, pragmatic Anita wants to get the hell out to save her sister at home. Anita simply wants to survive. She’s sympathetic, but changes surprisingly.
Their oppressor, conversion counsellor Thomas (brilliant Kenny Scott), subverts all our expectations. In Act Two, quicksilver Scott unveils Thomas’ shocking true character. He demonstrates that some people are dangerous. That’s harder to accept than the usual "love conquers hate" morality. Watch Scott closely—his glances tell all, an actors’ actor.
The staging in Act Two loses its mind in the best way. A ghost (Landyn Endo & Annie Fraser) draped in a shredded pride flag pops up. This mysterious apparition goes through murders, making haunting into an art form. The malleable ghost embodies all the oppressed who lived as a ghost of themselves. This ghost has magician’s tricks—watch closely.
River Bermudez Sanders, Landyn Endo, and Annie Fraser
I found myself rooting for the gay kids right up until I realized what winning means. The rebels use methods that make us question their sanity. Nobody gets to stay innocent, least of all the audience.
By the time the lights come up, I feel like I’d been on an adventure, too. We walk out questioning our own moral reflexes, wondering when righteous anger crosses the line into vengeance. A wonderful mix of comedy and insights.
If rich laughter can break the cycle of injury, “Limp Wrist on the Lever” can do it. Don’t expect easy answers but ENJOY their wild attempts at escape and renewal.
“Limp Wrist on the Lever” by Preston Choi, directed by Rebecca Wolff, choreographer Raisa Donato, scenic designer Jenna Lauren Carroll, costumes by Fatima “Buffy” Yahyaa, lighting by Ray Oppenheimer, sound by Tab Mattos, by Crowded Fire Theater, at Potrero Stage, San Francisco.
Info: crowdedfire.org - to October 4, 2025.
Cast: Ashley Jaye, River Bermudez Sanders, linda maria girón, Kenny Scott, Landyn Endo, and Annie Fraser.