What I liked
The blackbox experience had me eye to eye with a character, tears in both our eyes that made the story come to life through the depths of me. The cast has such seamless chemistry and such honoring of their characters that they truly bring us into another world for our time together. The music was sensational. The story gripped attention and heart-strings, and I particularly love that we got such a heartbeat of the work as the writer of this story welcomes us in with music and accompanies his character’s songs throughout the play.
What I didn't like
Honestly, I would not know how to improve upon the play in this format. I would just LOVE to see it expanded into a major production. The story begs for it, and I can envision it on a main stage with many acts and the spaciousness for the characters to tell even more of their story to us all.
My overall impression
Harbor City Tonight! is for everyone. This brilliant and layered comedy can satisfy one who is just looking for a fun night out while also touching the deepest sensitivity of one who knows not where to stand in our world of unrest today. There is inspiration, understanding, deep questioning, and undying passion that all our souls can recognize. The layers offer a place to sit for every viewer, leaving the deepest layer of responsibility in our laps- this is the world we keep dreaming up, so it will keep going until we dream a new dream. To cut that existentialism with such delightful humor does not discount it but invites us into remembering our joy in even the darkest of times. It allows morality to remain a mystery with which we must interact, and it speaks to love at the core of it all.
