What I liked
Both of these shows are excellent. I Hate How You Dress is a charming exploration of the relationships between mothers and children, with several delightful metaphysical twists and angelic presences. Resonant with It’s A Wonderful Life at times, and touching on the sometimes-complicated relationships between children and parents while maintaining a light tone.
Our Cemetery was my favorite of the two, presenting a vision of what likely awaits me in 30 years. About a group of theater kids reuniting before their 50th high school reunion, the show is unafraid to touch upon the difficult topics that often separate us from each other. Racisim, the AIDS crisis, and the isolating effect of social media are handled with sensitivity, nuance, and compassion by the very talented actors. Audience members will benefit from familiarity with Our Town, but I haven’t seen or read it since high school and I followed along fine. I also really appreciate a relatable Fringe show about seniors. My mom worked with seniors before she retired, and one of the things she’s mentioned is that as people enter that phase of life, they start to feel disrespected and cast aside. Their stories are still important to tell, and resonate no matter the audience’s age. I’m constantly reminded that the term medium, in reference to art, refers to something that connects two otherwise disparate people, and this is a wonderful example of how theater is such an excellent medium. This felt like a flash forward to scenes I might experience in a few years, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to witness it.
What I didn't like
IHHYD: Nothing major. Perhaps more visual indications between the ranks and statuses of angels?
OC: I didn’t fully understand why some characters chose not to attend their reunion and others did. I feel like this show would flourish with a longer runtime.
My overall impression
Two solid plays make for an enjoyable hour, allowing for both reflection and humor in the backdrop of the one universal location for all human beings: a cemetery.
