What I liked
This production features ingenious direction by Katharine McDonough. The seamless transitions, the use of furniture and props, and hitting the nail on the head with casting are merely the tip of the iceberg with her accomplishments.
I must applaud stellar acting by Madeleine Ince, Anna Mintzer, Taubert Nadalini, Jasmin Park, Kevin Shewey, and Isaac W. Jay. Together, this is a tight ensemble of performers.
Last, the music/singing is very compelling throughout the play. It added highlights to the characters and their story.
What I didn't like
With all forces uniting to bring forth laughter and woe, this show deserves large audiences (which I hope it gets).
My overall impression
Sarah Ruhl is arguably one of the best contemporary female playwrights in American Theatre. Her work speaks for itself and yet, this show is elevated in the very capable hands of Contempo Productions. Indeed, they deliver an impeccable showing of her farce, “Melancholy Play” at this year’s Fringe.
What starts as a series of therapy sessions for Tilly (played by a revelatory Madeleine Ince) evolves into desperate searches for love, or more appropriately, happiness. While her melancholy attracts various partners, her happiness has a reverse effect. And what happens on this see-saw ride can best be describe as… nuts.
