What I liked
Touch Choices is clearly a well written play that takes its own space in the legacy of 20th century playwriting, but it is Emily Yonker and Peter Eschewsky’s performances as Helen, Bob, and Arden that roots us in the here and now of 2024. Over a quarter century since the play was written, this play’s theme’s of women’s voices and roles in marriages, gun control, climate change, whiteness, and sex still land. But it’s the actors’ understanding of the insane world of self help that shines a light on the toxic nature of positive energy and the fury of self suppression by protestant-pilled “don’t get in the doldrums” attitude toward survivors of extreme trauma. The reason the play is so fun and hilarious is that it succeeds at sharing the attitudes deeper than the words alone. The invisible twists and pains of deep relationships built on shaky foundations of discordant values – something that is mostly just… felt so viscerally by the actors. They share the confusing methods behind this ineffable madness and themes that still, over thirty years since being written, has a stranglehold on American culture. Meanwhile, the bits of improv and reins-taking on the part of Emily and Peter make us feel squarely stuck in one of the most horrifying self-help lecture rooms you could imagine.
What I didn't like
Nothing.
My overall impression
Hilarious. 10/10 recommend.
