By Brian Gray
It’s a Long Story: A Collection of Short Plays by The Twofifteen Project is exactly what its title suggests: a collection of short plays. These microplays are written by Sierra Ducharme-Hansen, and are each brief and bite-sized. These brief vignettes largely revolve around themes of relationships and interactions, often creating scenarios that are light and humorous. A total of four or five stories are presented by the company, one as short as one minute or so. Between each play, though, the antics of the cast in the transition serve to connect each performance, and carry the feeling of whimsy between each piece.
And each small play by Ducharme-Hansen is whimsical, as she imagines various scenarios and how individuals might react to them. The first piece takes place inside an elevator, when a man furiously making out with a woman runs into his ex, and the elevator breaks down. The second is an imagining of a writer who lives in his own world, though his world and reality begin to blend together. The next is a brief character study between a reporter and a charming businessman. The next is a portrayal of a delivery man attempting to seduce a business woman who is clearly not interested in him. The final, my favorite piece, is a blend of storytelling and choreography as a budding relationship is acted out in real time and followed by the shadows of the couple, dancing the feelings of the couple. Each piece has its own twist, either overt or subtle, that brings a sense of charm to each piece.
As a young playwright, Sierra Ducharme-Hansen really shows a lot of potential in this brief collection of plays. I am very eager to see more of her explorations of human relationships, dynamics, and the hilarious absurdity of these interactions in future productions. If you are seeking a performance that is charming, hilarious, and romantic, the It’s a Long Story is the production for you.
The Twofifteen Project presents It’s a Long Story at the Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival
The Gateway, 125 S 400 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Remaining performances: 8/10, 10:00 PM; 8/11, 6:00 PM; 8/11, 4:30 PM; 8/12, 3:00 PM
Festival admission $5, show tickets $10
The Twofifteen Project Facebook Page
It’s a Long Story Facebook Event
0 Comments