What I liked
Lovely use of the space, and a very very strong lead performance. Ensemble held their own and their individual ways and heartily delivered the complications of memory, perspective and love.
I Loved the effects during the climax! Very effective and I hope they can be pushed even further in a bigger, better venue someday! This story deserves a bigger space, for sure. The script is wonderful, believable, and relevant, and conversationally appropriate. I appreciate when a writer clearly demonstrates they’ve spoken to other humans before ( this is a compliment because sometimes that doesn’t feel like the case lol )
Each performer brought a fabulous, unique perspective to the story. I was especially fond of Rylie ( name may be wrong apologies ), the friend from the floral shop. This character was unique and important – an outside force in an echo chamber of remembrance that sometimes goes untold in memorial narratives. The idea that we exist in different versions of ourselves depending on who we’re with is deeply true and important and pertinent to this story! The actresses portrayal as the groups “other” was a fabulous foil to the energy in the rest of the room.
What I didn't like
Some of the humor felt unearned – I’m not sure if it was just a product of live theatre ( night-to-night things work or don’t, that’s the way of it! ) or if it was slightly oversaturated in the monologues delivered by Nessa, especially at top. In the same vein, I was surprised when the first climactic event ( the family argument ) occurred as the levels/built up until then didn’t quite get me there. These feel just like directorial things I disagree with ( in which case, who cares heh ) OR again the nature of live theatre. It didn’t make the show any less impactful in the end – just things I noticed.
My single writing uncertainty was the button on the end – the selling the funeral home. I’m not sure it achieved the goal it was written for – it honestly made me a little confused about the thesis. When nessa’s monologue ended, I was certain this play was about, in part, being brave enough to be real, honest, etc – because that’s the only way to make the most of your time, and then that final button line was about .. waiting? Which felt incongruent to the narrative. I could be misunderstanding the show entirely, but for me, the ending didn’t quite tie the bow so to speak. Narratives don’t need resolutions; but if you’re going to deliver a final line like that for impact, I yearn for a slightly clearer tie in ( again could just be my brain ).
My overall impression
Warning! May contain spoilers.
GHOSTTOWN is an apropos tale that works as a touchstone for any age group – but feels especially pertinent for those of us in our early-mid adulthood. In an increasingly isolated and socially-strangled age, what happens when your story ends prematurely? What happens when you choose to do the safe thing, rather than the brave thing? Is there a right way to live, is it that simple? How much of yourself is safe to share, how much are people willing to listen, and where does the responsibility to remember them right fall when someone’s gone? The mortifying ordeal of being known — and being unknown, all at once. GHOSTTOWN is well written and performed, and asks its audiences to confront their own relationships to themselves and others before it’s too late.
