What I liked
Seven Decembers was my first show of HF16. It might be the best of the season, and is some of the best theater I’ve seen ever. Writer/Director Annamarie Davidson has pulled off a theatrical miracle on almost countless levels. The story is a tragedy/mystery with an ending that makes it all the more haunting. She’s also assembled a terrific ensemble cast who are more than up to the task of fleshing out these very flawed, very human, and all-too-relatable characters. Special credit must go to her creation of her protagonist – and also to actress Bridgit King’s heartbreaking portrayal of her; Johnny May is a terrific narrator, often wholly unlikable, and unfortunately may be completely justified in being so (another sad truth that Davidson and King nail with tragic precision). And actress Carissa Jocett Toro is in serious danger of stealing the show, being the voice of compassion, clarity and even reason – the irony that only the outsider can be so is yet another often sad truth in life – especially in the lives of these characters. Through crazy luck, I had the privilege of watching this show in the seat right next to Miss Davidson, and it only reminded me of how fortunate I was to experience this. Do not miss it.
What I didn't like
That I haven’t seen Miss Davidson’s work before this
My overall impression
Seven Decembers is undoubtedly some of the best theater HF16 has to offer. It is a mystery/tragedy that haunts on countless levels, and is a theatrical triumph.
