Karate, karaoke and rollerskating dreams

Gurnet combine ‘Essential’ ingredients with new play

The Gurnet Theater Project’s latest play follows a character named Yul Carroll who dons a nerf suit to take a job as an attack dummy in a women’s self-defense class. Wait, it gets weirder. After a class member knocks his tooth out, she invites him to a local karaoke bar where performers must sing original songs.

But we haven’t reached the most peculiar part of “Essential Self-Defense”

“It has a roller skating dream sequence,” boasts director Brian Fahey.

Fahey, who founded Gurnet with a friend in 2005, says “Essential Self-Defense” will be the most ambitious production the young theater troupe has done.

“It’s all over the place,” he says, “but in a really fun, coherent way.”

Love blossoms, mystery ensues, and Yul Carroll continues to get punched by women scene after scene.

Fahey says he has faith that Boston audiences will appreciate the show’s versatile cast and originality.

“We’ve really made it our own,” he says. “A lot of people in the cast are doing double. They’re playing the drums, multiple roles. It’s a fast-paced production.”

‘Essential Self-Defense’
Through June 18
BCA Black Box
539 Tremont St., Boston
MBTA: Orange Line to Back Bay
$18-$25, 617-933-8600