Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In A SIMULACRUM, a playwright and an illusionist stealthily investigate the limitations and elusive promises of playing make believe

• By drediman
• June 30, 2023
• No Comments

In A Simulacrum currently playing Off-Broadway at Atlantic Theater Company’s subterranean Atlantic Stage 2, playwright Lucas Hnath and illusionist Steve Cuiffo have collaborated on a fascinating if seemingly unassuming hybrid performance. In their curious theatrical exercise, these artists – both now approaching middle age – stealthily investigate the limitations and elusive promises of playing make believe.

Indeed, A Simulacrum finds Hnath and Cuiffo coming to terms with their craft at a time in their respective careers when re-assessment isn’t uncommon. Almost as if to help himself come to a conclusion in his own mind, Hnath eggs on the affable Cuiffo to explore his ongoing capacity to create transcendent theatrical art. In response, Cuiffo self-consciously goes down a rabbit hole of doubt and disillusionment, in the process realizing that his talent for producing authentically awe-inspiring sleight of hand trickery has become labored and pedestrian (be warned, those looking to be wowed by your typical magic show will likely come away from the show disappointed).

Given that the work concludes on an arguably downbeat note, A Simulacrum would seem decided on its stance on the allure of theater-making. Its very structure, however, seems to be striving for originality and the desire to come up new forms. By using both recorded workshop sessions and live performance (a nod to Hnath’s Dana H.) to spur on their investigation – Hnath and Cuiffo seem to be indicating otherwise.

RECOMMENDED

A SIMULACRUM
Off-Broadway, Play
Atlantic Theater Company at Atlantic Stage 2
1 hour, 30 minutes (without an intermission)
Through July 9