By Christy Hudson
Wasatch Theatre Company is premiering its new location at The Gateway in Salt Lake City, Utah, with its Page-to-Stage Festival. The Page-to-Stage Festival includes a challenge for a few local playwrights to come up with original scripts based on one concept, which are then compiled into one show. The premise of this year’s show, called Missed Connections, is based on random, obscure advertisements found on Craigslist, which were assigned to six playwrights, who then created scenes and stories about what the advertisements were asking.
I have never been to a Wasatch Theatre Company production before, and I wasn’t really sure what to expect going in. When I walked through the door, it wasn’t quite like any other theatre I’ve been to before. There are three rows of wooden chairs and a small stage that is really just three raised platforms. It’s a pretty small space. And the moment I saw it, I loved it. It’s intimate and unique. They said it is still a work-in-progress, and I’m excited to see what it will be like when it is finished.
Missed Connections is directed by Michael Nielsen. The playwright shepherd is Nicholas Dunn. Each scene has its own tone, unique to the writer. Some of them focus more on comedy, while others are terribly tragic. All of them appeal to the audience’s emotions.
“Treatment Tables” by Brooke Downs is broken into four parts, separated from each other throughout the show. It is the story of a few people who meet at physical therapy for different kinds of injuries. They learn to connect as they pass the time together and get to know one another. Each separate section of this show delves a bit further into each character, and why they act the way they do, and the effect they begin to have on one another.
“The Demon” by James Omar Hansen is the story of a young man who feels compelled to talk to a young woman he recognizes from church. She leads him in an unusual conversation about their personal demons.
“Go Hit on my Wife” by Sierra Ducharme-Hansen is about a woman who receives a very unusual package, with an even more unusual deliveryman.
“What Hath God Wrought” by Andrea Peterson tells the story of a man and a woman who become friends during World War II, but have never actually met. They have only spoken through radio communications and Morse Code, as they work to intercept enemy messages.
In “Lust Has a Way” by Hayley Heaton, a woman decides to read a lost letter she finds on a train, only to learn that the writer has sinister intentions.
“Cold Storage” by Jesse Nepivoda is a little more abstract in its plot, and leaves a lot up to the viewer’s imagination. In it, a husband and wife reconnect in a short amount of time, after being forced to be apart from each other for a long amount of time. It is emotional, even downright heartbreaking to see the couple take in every short second they have with each other, knowing it will not last very long, and without knowing how long it will be before they see each other again.
All of the scenes are well-crafted. Even though the stories are told through short scenes, rather than full-length plays, they give us a look into each character and situation that provides all of the information we need. They don’t need lengthy exposition and backstory to tell their stories well and impactfully.
The cast consists of eight actors, who all play various characters from each scene. It stars Amanda Caraway, Laura Chapman, Gordon Dunn, Merry Magee, Daniel McLeod, and Carlos Nobleza Posas. All of them are skilled at switching between different characters in each scene. They all show their versatility in their acting skills, and any one of them could have you going from tearing up one second to cracking up the next. Notably, Posas manages to play both the most outrageous character, and the most heartbreaking character. He is so clearly committed to both roles, it is easy to forget that it is one person giving both performances.
Each of the different stories in Missed Connections is insightful, and it gives the viewer a chance to look into the different characters’ minds and motivations. I think every character is relatable in one way or another, which helps drive the emotion of each plot. The usage of completely different scenes gives each playwright the unique opportunity to tell a story focused on different themes, so the entire show is able to deliver multiple messages and produce a variety of emotions for the audience.
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It is a minimalist show. There is no backdrop, and very few props. Mainly, all that is used is chairs and desks, and a few smaller props. I personally am a fan of shows like that, and it seems especially appropriate for this type of show. It gives us the opportunity to listen to the dialogue and pick up the context cues of the world being created onstage. This also engages the audience.
The show opens with the actors reading the Craigslist advertisements. I’m assuming that the advertisements they read are the ones each scene is based off of, but I’m not positive about that, because I don’t remember what they said. I wish that we could have been reminded what they all were, because I think it would help us see what each of the playwrights were working with, and how they interpreted the ads and added their own spins. I think they could have even just been in the programs, because I am curious about each of the scenes.
I must admit that I don’t think this show is for everybody. Although it explores a lot of good and interesting concepts that relate to humankind, there are people who may not always appreciate the subtle messages and themes that peak through the performances for what they are. I could think of people I know personally who would really enjoy this show, but I can also think of people who probably would not be as into it. In order to grasp the playwrights’ messages, it takes focus, and honestly a little bit of self-reflection to connect to the characters. And because of the show’s nature, it’s unique. If you like unconventional theatre-going experiences, then this would be a good one to check out. Also note, there are adult themes and strong language in this production.
On page 11 in the program, it says, “The mission of Wasatch Theatre Company is to explore human relationships through stories that engage, stimulate, and entertain.” I definitely feel that this was achieved through Missed Connections. I enjoyed the performance a lot. I personally found it pretty thought-provoking, as I analyzed the characters and scenarios presented onstage. And that’s what makes a show worthwhile, isn’t it?
Wasatch Theatre Company presents Missed Connections
WTC at the Gateway, 124 South 400 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
June 14-16, 2018, 8:00 PM, Saturday Matinee 1:00 PM
Tickets: $15.00
Contact: 801-869-4600, wasatchtheatrecompany@gmail.com
Wasatch Theater Company Facebook Page
Missed Connections Facebook Event
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