Deborah Zoe Laufer (author of two of my favorite past Williamston plays End Days and Sirens) has come up with another gem of a script filled with humor, heart and contemporary insights, blooming under the direction of Rob Roznowski at Williamston Theatre.
Bari is depressed and cynical, having lost her job teaching nihilism and is stuck working in a small town fulfillment center where oppressively happy co-workers try to “fix” her “smug gloom.” Recurring headaches/seizures bring her an other-worldly change of outlook and an ecstatic night with the blind date she was trying to avoid...but this is caused by a life-threatening brain tumor. What’s a person to do?
As Bari, Sarah Kamoo, who amazed us playing so many roles in Nine Parts of Desire, manages to play what feels like more than one character in this show, too, ranging from depression to elation with touching moments in between. Williamston favorite Sandra Birch is a hoot as overbearing co-worker/matchmaker Patty, touting yoga and antidepressants. Sophia Psiakis is charming and fun as simple, sweet teen Luanne, also cheerleading for Bari’s elusive happiness. John Lepard brings his trademark subtle sincerity to Mike, the blind date that has many layers. His mission to find things and build something beautiful/useful out of junk is both literal and figurative.
Tech aspects enhanced it all — particularly lighting, by Brian M Scruggs, adding a subtle, surreal glow during Bari’s headache/seizures and subsequent “rose colored glasses” vision of the world. Julia Garlotte’s selection of “emo” type songs between scenes added mood and commentary. And the set was amazing — both in how it looked and how it was used. Monika Essen designed an artistically jam-packed conglomeration of household items and “junk” over a delightful patchwork floor carpeted with junk mail — and don’t miss the shoes hanging overhead. This set is endlessly interesting but also versatile, serving as several different locations with minimal furniture movements all handled by the cast.
Williamston Theatre is the place where you all should “Be Here Now” — or at least be there SOON until August 20. You’ll laugh; you’ll think; you’ll be happier…
http://williamstontheatre.org
Bari is depressed and cynical, having lost her job teaching nihilism and is stuck working in a small town fulfillment center where oppressively happy co-workers try to “fix” her “smug gloom.” Recurring headaches/seizures bring her an other-worldly change of outlook and an ecstatic night with the blind date she was trying to avoid...but this is caused by a life-threatening brain tumor. What’s a person to do?
As Bari, Sarah Kamoo, who amazed us playing so many roles in Nine Parts of Desire, manages to play what feels like more than one character in this show, too, ranging from depression to elation with touching moments in between. Williamston favorite Sandra Birch is a hoot as overbearing co-worker/matchmaker Patty, touting yoga and antidepressants. Sophia Psiakis is charming and fun as simple, sweet teen Luanne, also cheerleading for Bari’s elusive happiness. John Lepard brings his trademark subtle sincerity to Mike, the blind date that has many layers. His mission to find things and build something beautiful/useful out of junk is both literal and figurative.
Tech aspects enhanced it all — particularly lighting, by Brian M Scruggs, adding a subtle, surreal glow during Bari’s headache/seizures and subsequent “rose colored glasses” vision of the world. Julia Garlotte’s selection of “emo” type songs between scenes added mood and commentary. And the set was amazing — both in how it looked and how it was used. Monika Essen designed an artistically jam-packed conglomeration of household items and “junk” over a delightful patchwork floor carpeted with junk mail — and don’t miss the shoes hanging overhead. This set is endlessly interesting but also versatile, serving as several different locations with minimal furniture movements all handled by the cast.
Williamston Theatre is the place where you all should “Be Here Now” — or at least be there SOON until August 20. You’ll laugh; you’ll think; you’ll be happier…
http://williamstontheatre.org
RSS Feed
