Taking a historically complex theatrical convention and dropping it into a modern setting is no small feat, but Keiko Green’s The Bed Trick does so with striking intellect, humor, and heart. Presented on the intimate Cripe Stage at the Bette Aitken Theater Arts Center in Anaheim, this contemporary spin on a popular Shakespearean theme delivers a thought-provoking exploration of modern relationships, consent, and morality.

Fred Kinney’s scenic design makes smart, resourceful use of the space. The set effortlessly segments the stage to establish several distinct locations without feeling cluttered. The multi-level, lived-in dorm room serves as the core hub for the three college roommates center stage. The shelves are packed with actual college essentials including music posters, snacks, pet photos, plants, and desk organizers unique to each character’s personality. An “outdoor” area used for off campus and exterior moments is located stage right. An office set and a balcony is utilized for secondary locations stage left. Every corner of the set tells a story before the actors even speak a word. Andrew Hungerford’s effective lighting design sets moods while also clearly differentiating moments of narration to the audience. Ayricka Johnson’s thoughtful costumes and Lia Weed’s lovely sound design help bring life to the world.

Directed by H. Adam Harris, the ensemble cast brings wonderful energy and vulnerability to the material. The college roommates played by Mae Linh Young (Marianne), Zoe Hertzberg (Lulu), and Sophia Blake (Harriet) capture the authentic angst, humor, and intensity of college life. Karen O’Hanlon (Anna) delivers a grounded performance that highlights a key theme that adults don’t have everything figured out. The tension between youth expecting absolute guidance and parents navigating their own mistakes adds rich emotional resonance. The device of the narrator is executed with clarity, bridging the gap between direct audience address and scene dialogue. Her identity as a theater student hit a deeply personal chord for me as someone who grew up as a “theater nerd” chasing mainstage dreams.

Catching the production during its preview run showed a cast already having immense fun while digging into difficult topics. It is a smart, sharp piece of theater that leaves you pondering questions raised by the play long after the curtain calls.

What makes Green’s writing so compelling is its willingness to leave the audience with morality questions rather than easy answers. By taking the controversial Shakespearean “bed trick” literary device of swapping partners without their knowledge and framing it as a modern moral question, the show challenges us to evaluate what we consider truth, deception, and personal ethics.

Following the performance, director H. Adam Harris and members of the cast gather on stage for a warm, candid talkback with the audience. The team pulls back the curtain on their creative process discussing how they approached the play’s complex moral questions adds a rich, meaningful layer to the experience. It offers a fantastic opportunity to engage directly with the artists and unpack the show’s thought-provoking themes before heading home.

Production The Bed Trick by Keiko Green

Venue Cripe Stage @ Bette Aitken Theater Arts Center (Chance Theater), 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA

Dates September 11 – October 4, 2026

Tickets Call (888) 455-4212 or visit ChanceTheater.com