Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – THEATRE FOR ONE returns to 1:1 in-person performances to address post-lockdown trauma, and it should be mandatory viewing for all

• By drediman
• August 19, 2021
• No Comments

During lockdown, some of the most memorable “theater” experiences I had were courtesy of Christine Jones’s Theatre for One, a fascinating theatrical endeavor whose aim is to bring potent micro-plays (each lasting approximately 5-10 minutes a pop) to audiences, literally one person at a time. In normal times, Theatre for One – which is generously offered without charge – is typically performed in-person. However, during the long months of lockdown, Theatre for One out of necessity was presented virtually (under the umbrella title “Here We Are”), requiring audience members to essentially jump on a Zoom call to connect with a randomly selected actor, who performed over the Internet just for you. Unsurprisingly, these plays were heavily sought-out and intensely intimate affairs – often overwhelmingly so – dealing with important and topical issues of the day (including prevalent struggles such as loneliness, loss of purpose, and racial inequality).

To coincide with New York’s careful return to live performances, Theatre for One has re-emerged with a new collection of short plays (under the title “Here Is Future”), this time once again in-person in its ingeniously designed mobile performance contraption at Manhattan West in Hudson Yards. No matter which play(s) you end up seeing, you’ll be immediately struck at the shockingly immersive nature of the in-person experience, especially if you’re still reeling from the isolation of lockdown. Indeed, given the direct, conversational nature of these plays, you invariably become an active participant (and therefore a character) in each of these works – which only adds to their gravitas and urgency. Among the acclaimed playwrights contributing to this latest crop of plays are Regina Taylor, Jaclyn Backhaus, and Lydia R. Diamond. “Here Is Future” has also given some exciting new voices (e.g., Stacey Rose, DeLanna Studi, and korde arrington tuttle) a chance to get some well-deserved exposure.

Of the six plays currently playing, I caught three (so far) – Ms. Taylor’s The Transformed Return (performed by Lizan Mitchell), Ms. Rose’s Gravida 4 Para 0 (performed by Joanie Anderson or Myxy Tyler), and Ms. tuttle’s the love vibration (performed by Denise Manning). Although each of these pieces addresses post-lockdown trauma, what’s striking is how differently – both in content and design (Ms. Jones is a notable set designer, after all) – each has approached the assignment. Given their extremely short running time, I don’t want to provide any spoilers, only to say that I found each to be gorgeously bittersweet, imparting the overarching message that life has forever changed for us all on this side of lockdown. Lastly, you can’t go wrong with any of the performances, each of which I found beguilingly truthful and tremendously moving. Given these plays’ aptitude for catharsis and negligible time commitment, I’d say at least one play from “Here Is Future” should be mandatory viewing for all.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

THEATRE FOR ONE: HERE IS FUTURE
Off-Broadway, Play / In-person
Manhattan West
Each play lasts approximately 5-10 minutes
Through August 22