{"id":370250,"date":"2025-07-12T17:35:03","date_gmt":"2025-07-12T21:35:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/?p=370250"},"modified":"2025-07-12T17:35:03","modified_gmt":"2025-07-12T21:35:03","slug":"2025-district-fringe-review-a-guide-to-modern-possession-by-caro-dubberly-5-stars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/2025\/07\/12\/2025-district-fringe-review-a-guide-to-modern-possession-by-caro-dubberly-5-stars\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 District Fringe Review: ‘A Guide to Modern Possession’ by Caro Dubberly (5 stars)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"K<\/span>icking off DC\u2019s inaugural District Fringe Festival is Caro Dubberly\u2019s A Guide to Modern Possession<\/em> \u2014 a musical that embodies everything a Fringe production should be: it\u2019s raw, unfinished, and really fucking good.<\/p>\n

Caro Dubberly may be known around town as an actor and director, but who knew they were also a powerhouse composer, lyricist, and book writer? Well, now we do.<\/p>\n

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Art by Amanda Leigh Ponce courtesy of ‘A Guide to Modern Possession’<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Guide to Modern Possession<\/em> is a rock-infused musical packed with catchy tunes, whip-smart lyrics, and a coming-of-age story that flips the script to center characters long left out of the musical theater spotlight.<\/p>\n

Oh \u2014 and it\u2019s got demons.<\/p>\n

The show follows Cody, a nonbinary young adult coping with the trauma of a past sexual assault and a fraught relationship with their religious, cancer-stricken mother. To numb the pain, Cody turns to weed and alcohol. Enter the demons \u2014 first as a snarky Greek-chorus-style peanut gallery, later as darker manifestations of Cody\u2019s internal struggle. On their website, Dubberly explains that they and Director\/dramaturg Laley Lippard (who\u2019s been developing the show with Dubberly since 2021) are using \u201cdemonic imagery as a vehicle for exploring PTSD.\u201d<\/p>\n

Audience members should be aware that this is a staged reading of Act One only. That means no costumes and no choreography \u2014 but what you do get is the chance to witness a sharp, promising new musical in its early form. And the show already has accolades to back it up: it was a semifinalist for the 2023 Eugene O\u2019Neill Theatre Center\u2019s National Music Theater Conference and a finalist for Olney Theatre\u2019s Vanguard Arts Fund.<\/p>\n

Leading the cast as Cody is Jayson R. Broadnax, a recent Howard University grad with more lighting design credits than acting ones. But hey, DC casting directors, let\u2019s change that. Broadnax is a phenomenal talent. Their rich voice is perfectly suited to Dubberly\u2019s rock-driven score, and they bring a raw emotional honesty to Cody\u2019s vulnerability.<\/p>\n

Backing up Broadnax is a strong supporting cast: Sophia Early as Cody\u2019s loyal best friend Anna, Christian Montgomery as Dee and the Demon, and Geocel Batista and Adrian Jesus Iglesias as Cody\u2019s mom and dad. Every one of them delivers with professional polish.<\/p>\n

As a staged reading, design elements were sparse, but the uncredited lighting design subtly amped up the tension. Dubberly accompanied much of the score live on keyboard, with prerecorded instrumental tracks strategically layered in to heighten key emotional beats. Stage Manager Willow McFatter kept everything running smoothly.<\/p>\n

If A Guide to Modern Possession<\/em> is how District Fringe is starting its run, it\u2019s poised to become a standout fixture on DC\u2019s theater calendar.<\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

A Guide to Modern Possession\u00a0<\/em>
\n<\/strong>A new musical by Caro Dubberly<\/strong><\/p>\n

Running Time: 75 minutes<\/strong>
\nDates and Times:<\/strong><\/p>\n