What I liked
My favorite performance in this show was undoubtedly Summer Benson. They stole the show every time they stepped foot on stage. The Kid perfectly captured the essence of innocence newly tainted with self-doubt and trauma. I felt every emotion he felt to a nearly overwhelming point. The Kid was the glue of the family. He represented both the damage of his guardians’ past and the possibilities of their collective future. Summer didn’t miss a beat in this performance, playing seamlessly off of all of their scene partners. We, the audience, felt the years of love and support The Kid was surrounded by; which set us up perfectly to feel the pain of this comfort roughly being ripped away due to circumstances completely outside of their control. As someone who shares similar experiences, Summer’s depiction could not have been more spot-on. I was moved to tears more than once by their performance, and I genuinely felt the room in the air shift. In addition to this, every moment of humor landed excellently. Perfectly timed and always earning a wave of loud laughter from the audience, myself included. I feel so fortunate to have witnessed a star so bright shine on this stage.
What I didn't like
My only small observation were brief lighting or sound cues that seemed to be slightly off. The message of the show was by no means impacted and these moments were not memorable overall.
My overall impression
An unforgettable experience. This show delved deep into several heavy themes, completely unafraid to face the most vulnerable issues head-on. This unapologetic boldness pays off thoroughly in its connection with the audience. So many lines and moments resonate deeply, connecting every viewer to the universal experience of learning how to love and be loved. Every character was so flawed yet kind-hearted. Grey areas paint every facet of this story and created a masterful depiction of humanity. Somehow both gut-wrenching and eternally hopeful, Annex is a must-watch.
