What I liked
The environment and interaction between the Joes at the center of the show feels inescapably authentic, raw, and genuine. The use of the space sucks the audience in completely to the premise, and patrons can’t help but feel like you’re part of the moment and leave with deep thoughts, much to consider, and a heightened awareness of the people around us and their individual value.
What I didn't like
The script is off to a great start in addressing a crucial cultural issue of our time, but the scope feels inescapably narrow, since only the impact to music/theatre makers is addressed. This piece has opportunities to grow to create a truly haunting emotional impact by addressing the losses in other art forms (painting, sculpture, photography, dance, etc). I would also love to see the audience’s response if other fields were addressed—fields like science, medicine, history, and education. This idea has tremendous legs, and the universe is well-crafted—now I want to see it expanded to show the impact on every imaginable facet of our lives. Leave no stone unturned!
My overall impression
This show is thoughtful and tense meditation on how humans connect and how art, even when not actively made, shapes not just the community and the world we see, but the people who make it. Crucially important for our times!
