First, Distracted is a frantic, fascinating script by Lisa Loomer, both lampooning and sympathizing with the trials of the mother of an ADD (now ADHD) child. Kim Seabright Martin is engaging as Mom, trying to meditate on the Prayer of St Francis in a world where “being an instrument of peace” is hardly possible. She is buffeted by a boys-will-be-boys husband (Christopher Eastland) along with nosy neighbors, cranky teacher, disagreeing doctors and disturbed babysitter.
It’s funny, but I felt kind of “wrong” laughing, since I know these conditions cause real distress to real people. The suggestion seems to be that our whole modern society is “distracted,” and many of the ways we try to cope/fix are not helping?
Director Ryan Walsh assembled an energized cast, introduced by some interesting, stressful sound (Thalia Pearce). The set by Jordan House accommodates many short scenes, with efficient “flip windows” changing the view/paintings on the wall to skip from scene to scene. All that flipping and whisking furniture in and out added to the distracted effect.
Distracted continues at 8pm Saturday, June 18 and at 6:30 Sunday, June 19th.
The 10pm Late Show is White Rabbit Red Rabbit by Nassim Soleimanpour, a one-actor performance that is a unique theatrical experience. It is a script being read by the performer for the FIRST TIME, not knowing anything about the story.
Tonight it was well read/performed by our Dad from Distracted, Christopher Eastland — with the help of quite a few audience members. (Yes, sit further back if you don’t want to be recruited.)
Frankly, you don’t want to know too much before experiencing this unique production. I will quote Matthew Linley, “note taker” from one of the previous productions, "the play dissects the experience of a whole generation in a wild, utterly original play from Iran. Forbidden to travel (for not undertaking national service) he turns his isolation to his own advantage with a play that requires no director, no set and a different actor for every performance. It is quietly comic, joyously participative and frighteningly unnerving.”
White Rabbit repeats at 10 pm Saturday, June 18 and also Fri/ Sat June 24 & 25 after The Play That Goes Wrong.
Readers are 6/18 Mona Eldahshoury; 6/24 Oscar Quiroz; 6/25 SteFannie Savoy.
https://theatre.msu.edu/sct/