What I liked
I really enjoyed watching the two of them learn to relate to each other on a realistic time frame, as well as Olivia Schlueter-Corey’s role as Laura, the person in charge of their “sessions” who often appears as the Stage Manager to assist in carrying out scene changes, each one written on a white board and announced as each begins. These ranged from Word Associations, One Word Sentences, Simon Says, Dress Rehearsal, Performance to Curtain Speech, and set the pace of each scene performed exceedingly well. And I loved interacting with the bowl of spinach!
What I didn't like
I cannot suggest any improvements as this play was perfectly done.
My overall impression
Directed by Tara Donovan with skill, passion and great insight into the many components of those on the autism spectrum, this West Coast premiere of Kira Rockwell’s three-person play WITH MY EYES WIDE SHUT will open your eyes to the ways in which others see the world and react to it. The two lead characters, Cole (Craig Shields) and Naomi (Esther Mira, a highly artistic choreographer whose lovely dances are set to the color moods of her character), both have behavior issues. He is a musical prodigy whose skill with instruments leads his life while her obsession with color leads her into a life surrounded by “blue” to calm her down.
