The cast of Pride and Joy. Photo by Kristina Schall DeYong.
Add a world premier to Midnight Company’s list of accomplishments. From July 10 to 26, the company will perform Pride and Joy, a never-before-seen play written by local artist Colin McLaughlin. Directed by Carl Overly, Jr (who performed in Midnight’s 2021 production It Is Magic), Pride and Joy is a slice-of-life family dramedy anchored by five strong performances. This kind of story—highly relatable, broadly appealing, but with plenty of pathos and a little St. Louis flavor—fits in nicely with Midnight’s oeuvre and could become a new local favorite (like Provel on pizza).
A family of four pushes, shoves, and curses their way into an apartment. They’re the Morans, and the apartment belongs to Sam, the oldest daughter (Sarah Lantsberger). They’ve brought pizza for… what exactly? Oh, for the intervention. Wait, the intervention for who? Could it be for Jay (Jayson Heil), who compulsively works out and browses Grindr? Could it be for Maggie (Alicen Moser), who took a hit from a cannabis vape just right now, when she thought nobody was looking? It could be for Dad (Joe Hanrahan)—but where would you even start? It could also be for Mom (Lavonne Byers), a self-sacrificing neat freak with codependency issues.
As it turns out, the intervention is for Sam. Her family members were too distracted by their own problems to notice hers, so she planned it herself. But each of them thought that the intervention could be their own… what the hell does that say about their family? What unfolds is a series of impromptu mini-interventions (call them “minterventions”) for each of the Morans. Despite Sam’s best efforts to follow the AA script (she even pre-wrote affirmations for everyone), the “healing moment” quickly descends into shouting and finger-pointing. They finally decide to do it “Moran” style, wrap it up in 80 minutes or less, and achieve some level of “California sober.”
Addiction is a heavy topic—one that every family in America has dealt with. Pride and Joy explores it with curiosity, compassion, and a fair amount of dark humor. The play spoofs sitcom tropes, mimicking the “fade to black” before a commercial break with its quick scene changes. It also features an ending that more-or-less wraps things up and returns the characters to their status quo (although it does hold forth the possibility of genuine growth). If nothing else, it’s clear that the Morans, messy as they are, love each other. Each member of the cast is entirely convincing as a member of this loud, lively, and selectively self-aware brood.
Midnight opted to use the Chapel, one of their favorite venues, for Pride and Joy. The small-yet-stately space at 6238 Alexander Dr. is a great venue for an emotionally mature adult comedy. With no elevated stage, the cast members are mere feet away from the audience. The set effectively recreates the feel of a studio apartment—cozy, cramped, and awkwardly intimate. Complimentary drinks are another plus—just try to exercise a little more self-restraint than the Morans.
Pride and Joy runs from now until July 26. Performances take place Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 PM and on Sunday at 3:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased through Metrotix; Thursday shows are $13 and all other shows are $23. The 80-minute play is performed in one act with no intermission. If you’re in the mood for more Midnight magic, stay tuned for Just One Look starring Kelly Howe. The cabaret show, inspired by world-famous vocalist Linda Ronstadt, is back by popular demand on Aug 2. The 2025 season also includes St. Nicholas, described by the company as “not a Christmas show. It’s about theatre critics. And vampires. It’s a love story.” Featuring the talents of Mr. Hanrahan (who is also Midnight’s creative director), it sounds like great entertainment for early October. | Rob Von Nordheim
