What I liked
Script – I am literally from the part of Arizona that the play is set in (Paradise Valley, Phoenix), and let me just day it is SPOT ON. From the +90° rain to specific cross streets referenced by characters to the fact that no one ever knows what to do for fun in the desert, the writing perfectly captured what it feels like to be stuck in Arizona with your long-distance, codependent ex whom you just can’t seem to say goodbye to… Yes, I know from experience.
In contrast to the AZ specificity, there was one scene in particular featuring a character named Trevor that was masterfully written with so little details that the audience could fill in the blanks with their own experiences and memories of that friend… I know I did, and the moment left a strong impression on me.
Overall, my favorite element of the show, which left a great foundation for the actors and designers to build off of and bring to life on stage!
(Note: Fellow queer/neurodivergent/Gen-Z audiences will especially appreciate the jokes and vibes of this show.)
Staging – With a one-act play in a minimal black box space, it’s easy to stage everything as “practically” as possible. However, the writer/director Mandy went above and beyond, weaving avant garde and metaphysical staging that you can only find and witness in theatre! During phonecalls, actors would touch and make direct eye contact, displaying just how powerful and nuanced the connection between two people can be even when on the phone. It was a genius way to show us the different relationships the characters shared within a short span of time. Much more engaging than the typical actor standing on stage with a phone pressed to their face, responding to nothing or a pre-recorded voice! This and other staging elements really made me appreciate the artform of theatre.
Acting – Wow! I love a small cast with talented character actors. The actors playing Crissy and Marcy were very grounded and charming, skillfully carrying the narrative with their individual rich portrayals and electric chemistry. Big shout out to the actor playing Marcy — Her line deliveries were so grounded, unique, and gripping. She could say or do anything on stage, and I’d be leaning in! We need more fellow trans actors on stage!
Meanwhile, the two other actors in the cast did a masterful job switching between multiple, distinctly different characters, sometimes in quick succession. I was roaring laughing at both of their portrayals of different familiar archetypes. Their range is very admirable. Again, you can only find this in theatre!
All the actors had great comedic timing, while still knowing when to let their words hang in the air. I hope to see (or even work with) all of them on stage again.
What I didn't like
The sound design was pretty minimal, which stood out to me amongst the other creative elements. The staging for phonecalls was confusing at first — are they actually talking here, or are they in separate spaces? However, it soon became clear that it was all metaphysical and symbolic, which turned into a huge creative plus for me. Lastly, while the cast was incredibly talented and deliciously queer, I would have loved to see some more racial diversity on stage.
My overall impression
9/10 – When hit with near-death experiences, our lizard instincts kick in, our true natures unearth, and we’re compelled to face the hard truths of our lives and the people we hold dearest… whether we’d like to accept it or not. The themes and lessons of this play were crystal clear and VERY relatable to me. I’m queer and grew up in Phoenix, AZ, so there were so many little details that felt almost as if they were specially written for me to witness. The acting, writing, and staging showed that this was created by people who KNOW and LOVE theatre! I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole show!
