THE HANGOVER REPORT – Gracie Gardner’s devastating I’M REVOLTING sheds exposing light on human frailty as it relates to health and beauty

Gabby Beans and Alicia Pilgrim in Atlantic Theater Company’s production of “I’m Revolting” by Gracie Gardner at the Linda Gross Theater (photo by Ahron R. Foster).

Last night, Atlantic Theater Company launched into its fall season with the Off-Broadway opening of Gracie Gardner’s I’m Revolting at the Linda Gross Theater in Chelsea. And what a way to open — in short, Ms. Gardner’s new play is the best new play I’ve seen so far in this fledgeling season, calling to mind highly perceptive plays like Stephen Karam’s The Humans. Set in the sterile waiting area of a skin cancer out-patient clinic, the new play by Ms. Gardner — who is also an EMT in Brooklyn, in addition to a playwright — lays bare the trauma and compassion that accompanies the operation of such a facility.

Ms. Gardner’s writing is at once fresh, deeply human, and often acutely funny. It’s the kind of smart, probing writing that draws you in with its unexpected truths and devastates you with its unadorned depiction of life’s unavoidable sucker punches. Indeed, her knack for dialogue is uncanny, and it kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the 90-minute play. The trauma on display from her well-sampled characters is often heartbreaking, shedding exposing light — often times through frank medical descriptions — on human frailty as it relates to health and beauty. On many levels, I’m Revolting hits close to home, which may make it a difficult play to sit through for many. But ultimately, Gardner’s agnostic gaze makes for truly compelling theater.

The Atlantic Theater Company production has been directed by Knud Adams, in my opinion one of the most sensitive stage directors working today. Over the past few years, he’s amassed an accomplished body of work that I feel will pave the way further for him. His cast is simply impeccable, both individually and as part of a broader ensemble. Perhaps exemplifying the company’s outstanding work is Gabby Beans (who wowed me with her Tony-nominated performance in last season’s Broadway revival of The Skin of Our Teeth by Thornton Wilder), a gifted actress who is able to convey the conflicting emotions of living in today’s world with striking clarity and force.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

I’M REVOLTING
Off-Broadway, Play
Atlantic Theater Company
1 hour, 30 minutes (without an intermission)
Through October 16

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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