Review By Lexi Sanderson, Front Row Reviewers
Speakeasy Theatre Company‘s production of The Kitchen Sink at The Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival is a slice of life performance that immerses you in intersecting storylines and characters. You’re introduced to a modest kitchen and given the opportunity to hear the stories the walls would tell as you watch children grow up, couples grow apart, and real love and hurt expressed in so many intimate and personal ways.
The audience is embraced within the tenderness and authenticity portrayed. The dialogue and interactions of the characters feels organic and fluid, and the cast does an amazing job of embodying multiple roles and characters. I was truly impressed by their acting abilities and the use of space for a small-scale performance.
While kitchen sink realism might have traditionally been a more harsh and realistic style, this play successfully captures the small moments of magic and connection in the drudgery of the day-to-day. Every audience member can resonate with at least one scene or character within this production and the heartstring it touches leaves you feeling seen while surrounded by strangers.
The production reminded me of A24’s The Ghost Story. You’re taken on a journey where-despite never leaving one location-you’re watching decades of family development and life changes. As The Kitchen Sink ends, you’re left to ponder on the perhaps intentionally vague moral of the story-while still being grounded in a connection to the human experience. There is a sort of renewed hope and a sense of unburdening after seeing a production like this.
Cast includes: Amy Brown Coffin, Timothy Evans, Nick Mathews, Alexandrea Rasmussen, Bequi Chidester, Chris Last, Kristin Hafen. Director: Shauna Cordelia Brand
Amy Brown Coffin
The Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival and Speakeasy Theatre Company presents The Kitchen Sink by Cordelia Brand.
Remaining performances include: August 2nd at 1:30 pm, August 3rd at 4:30 pm
Tickets are $15 and are available at the Great Salt Lake Fringe box office or on the Fringe Website.
The Kitchen Sink is rated “FF” for Fairly Fringey (PG13).
The Kitchen Sink Playbill
Speakeasy Theatre Facebook Page
The Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival Facebook Page
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