By Elise C. Barnett-Curran
Six actors play a single couple: Nora and Joe. Nora and Joe are going through a crucible of sorts. A struggle with the disease of addition has led them to foray into sex work and driven them into unbalanced mental health, facing a crisis of their own humanity. Their seemingly tumultuous relationship comes at a head, driving them to desperation and despair as they dance along the line between love and hate, spiraling toward doom.
Pendleton King’s script is evocative of Anton Chekhov in its balance between lyrical and earnest. There is a detached, floating tone to the dialogue, which can be alienating but is also beautiful to the ear. My favorite interpretation of his script was by the second pair of actors playing Nora and Joe: Talia Hess and Nadia Sine. Their take on the looping, mirrored dialogue in each part of the triptych was the most relatable and human, and their performances made me frightened for what would become of them.
The show is creatively performed as video chats between the actors, keeping everyone safe and distant. I appreciated their efforts in self isolation while portraying powerful work. Actors Eva Merrill, Danny Borba, Kimberly Brown, and Aathaven Tharmarajah were intriguing and elegant to watch. The show has finished its run at The Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival, but keep an eye out for Open Door Productions and whatever they have coming up next.
Open Door Productions Presents Cocaine Triptych, by Pendleton King
Streaming at https://www.greatsaltlakefringe.org/attend August 8, 2020, 3:15 PM MDT – RSVP required
Tickets: Free
www.greatsaltlakefirnge.org
Salt Lake Fringe Festival Facebook Page
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