What I liked
Great casting overall, very strong ensemble. The script moved briskly and balanced humor and emotion very effectively.
What I didn't like
Nada
My overall impression
It’s not everyday you see a romantic comedy done onstage. Emergency Operation is a loving nod to those classic rom coms you know, but with an added theatrical suspension of disbelief. Utilizing magical realism ala John Cariani’s Almost Maine, we see a man undergo a heart procedure following a breakup with his girlfriend. But much like the heart, this is far more complex than it first appears. You can take away the memories and the pain, but the risk of remembering never goes away. Jess Moore and Ben Bergstrom play these two conflicted lovers with conviction and humor. Both characters have their faults, but we can’t help but pull for them throughout. They are supported by an outstanding ensemble filled with overbearing parents (Sigute Miller and Alan Ehrlich), an inappropriately upbeat doctor (a hilarious Colleen Elizabeth Miller), a pining coffee shop owner (a very dry and honest Gordon Brown), and a poor guy with a pair of scissors in his leg (a scene-stealing Tahmus Rounds). The play moves smoothly from scene to scene. Lauren Gorski’s air tight script finds humor in these difficult situations while never forgetting the emotional connections between these characters. Maureen Lenker’s direction keeps all these factors moving smoothly and effectively. I won’t give away the ending, but it’s both unexpected and stays with you. Don’t miss this show, it’s one of the most original and lovely pieces at Fringe this year.
