What I liked
The writing of this play was magnificent, but this scene is so character driven and the performers are who can make or break the story. The performances were incredible! Deborah Baum blew me away with her dynamic range of being able to convincingly switch emotions so viscerally. I felt her, I felt the pain and the love and the denial. All in the matter of a few moments I went from relating to the character, to despising her, to completely understanding her in the dark. The character she played had so much backstory that we never really learned about, yet somehow you already knew what it was as her character developed because her raw performance propelled the writing. Gosh there really are no words.
Nathan Melsheimer matched Baum’s unique ability to take you somewhere else, somewhere beyond the surface. His character unraveled with each beat and by the end of the show, he became someone totally different from when he started. I loved him and I felt sorry for him and I was shocked by him. That takes insane talent and the willingness to be vulnerable on stage.
Ava Rose Paul- cast her on Grey’s Anatomy now. She is ready. Her ability to play neutral knowing what her character knew… Just beautiful!!
Steven C Fisher set the stage perfectly. It was incredible in a short time he was able to take me to the 90s. Again, the range in these characters is something that I haven’t seen before in a short scene. The direction was brilliant. I really felt like I was watching an old scene from a golden age in storytelling and filmmaking.
The overall production was as good as it could get on this tiny little stage. The sound design immediately took me into the world and the split lighting set the mood and truly was a metaphor for Face Divided.
What I didn't like
I want a part two. It honestly was so good that when it ended my soul cried a little. I need to know what happens. I have no critiques other than I wish it kept going.
My overall impression
It was a dark night of the soul for two tragic lovers. The stage melted away and I was engulfed in this gut wrenching scene that left me stunned and wanting more at the end. A third of the way through and I remember thinking, wow, I get to be here to watch something so unique. It was more than I could have ever expected. I saw the play’s posters that said “raw”, “honest”, and “devastating,” but it’s something I couldn’t have prepared for in the best way.
The actors didn’t miss a single beat. Their chemistry of playing dysfunction was masterful. For their first show of the festival, it was flawless! If I could describe this production in three words, it would be intimate, twisted, and vulnerable.
