What I liked
Minimal props and thoughtful sound design encourages our imaginations to create the America being traversed. Sara shifts effortlessly among the half dozen characters along Scout’s journey. And when a song on the car radio plays or someone sings…omigosh—the vocal instrument of this artist! There is enough affection for the Bard, the stars, the expansiveness of the heart, too, that I can see this piece finding a home at open-air Shakespeare companies and queer theatres like our own Celebration and San Diego’s Diversionary. The line near the end about looking like someone who would be someone’s ex/once loved by them had me melting.
What I didn't like
Sara told me the version we saw was condensed for Hollywood Fringe. It was a tight hour and I wasn’t left with any plot-related questions but would never say no to spending more time with Scout and Oliska. Honestly, I didn’t want this road trip to end. It’s cool to know there’s more to their love story.
My overall impression
Elphaba and Galinda, Thelma and Louise…there are moments in life where a chance meeting redirects the course of who we are meant to be. GIRLFRIENDS is intimate storytelling of the highest level about larger themes of identity and connection that cannot be contained within its blackbox performance space. A one-person joyous road trip to heal the heart, interrogate and navigate its possibilities, interspersed with live performance of radio hits. A theatremaker you should know!
