My overall impression
The heart of this story sneaks into your consciousness slowly through the short vignettes that signify each visit Joseph has as part of a clinical medical study on trial medication for Alzheimer’s.
Anna runs the one-on-one sessions as clinically and sterilized as she’s become, both careerwise and personally. But after a few awkward and odd visits, Anna begins to learn of the tormented and abusive past Joe has endured, along with his distress over feelings of losing parts of his past, and memories altogether, as he ages. She becomes intrigued by the bits and pieces of his past om which she diligently takes detailed notes.
Anna is moved by his plights and empathetically helps soothe his pain, even trying to find out which test medication he is actually taking – the real test drug or a placebo, which is forbidden. Near the end of the play we see, in his unique, quirky way, he has helped Anna care and feel alive again, and she has given him a place to save his memories with her, as she learns more and more and sincerely cares for this man to the end.
Both characters are played skillfully by Rachel Boller and Gary Rubenstein. They weave through each scene fluidly and wrap you up along with them emotionally.
The writing of this play, by Paul Elliott and Ed Joswick, is a story of and from the heart. The two characters are well-defined and are given rich, carefully-threaded words to flesh out their intentions. It is a story everyone can take something away from, and will leave you remembering how it made you feel.
