What I liked
First things first, the set design and decoration was probably the best I’ve seen at a fringe show, so I must tip my hat to Matthew Brown for his construction! Between how this environment looks and the pre-show music sounds, Dolores sets itself apart from many other shows.
So much about this production flows and that is a credit to Director, Stephanie Feury. Her pacing and blocking make the 45-minutes fly by quickly. Of course, she cast two extremely talented performers to commit to the roles. And huge credit must go to Davonna Dehay (Dolores) and Deedee Woche (Sandra) who are both equally strong and memorable.
Taking on this kind of dramatic material can be grueling, but also rewarding. And it is evident how much work these two brave actors and director put in to making Dolores a success.
What I didn't like
In the spirit of honesty, I found several issues with the play itself. For example, I knew exactly what Dolores wanted/needed from Sandra, but was clueless as to what Sandra wanted/needed from her sister. Also, some of the lines got repetitious and seemed redundant after a while.
And a nitpick – for a play that takes place in Rhode Island, I am not sure from where the New York accents came.
My overall impression
Dolores is not an easy play to watch or digest; however, that does not take away from the importance of its messages. This two-person play deals with sisters and their dysfunctional relationship. Both of them are past victims of domestic abuse. And while one constantly attracts violent partners to her, the other feels she has moved on to a better life.
A few questions the play asks are as follows: If siblings are estranged, are they obligated to be there for each other in times of turmoil? Does trauma follow some more than others? When is it time to take a stand and what happens if someone goes too far?
