What I liked
So many of the performances crackled with energy and depth. Highlights include Brian Los and Alexandra Hastings as “Greg” and “Valeria”, whose chemistry is palpable – they really do ground so much of the show and build the foundation for the rest of the cast to shine; Patty Gliniewicz, who steals the show as Greg’s overbearing Boston mother; and James McFarlane as “Hank”, who brings a heartbreaking realism to the role of Greg’s estranged father. The rest of the ensemble, specifically Alexis Jade, Julia Maguire and Isabella Costa, find subtle ways to really command the stage with performances that could have gotten lost in the sauce.
The staging is simple and effective. While I usually have disdain for so many set changes in a Fringe show, Lisman pulls them off and I never once found myself checking my watch. The musical choices help keep those set changes afloat, and anyone who pulls out an R.E.M. deep cut for curtain call gets mad respect.
What I didn't like
I would have liked maybe a bit more meat on the bone with the father and son scene at the end, which feels like it gets going a bit too quick with the drama. That said, it’s a Fringe show and time is sensitive, and the performers still make it work. Additionally, as much as they didn’t bother me, some of the set changes could have been done away with altogether, but that’s a nitpicky sort of note. All in all, I feel like the director staged exactly what he wanted and let his cast do the rest.
My overall impression
“Schizm” is a thoughtful, nuanced, and tender exploration of mental health challenges that really find themselves explored in such a robust and impactful way. Lisman gives these characters depth, humanity, and a lived-in sense of reality that makes this his best work to date. Watching a playwright find their voice is always exciting, and Lisman has clearly found his.
