Empire City

I frequently struggle with whether or not I want to write my thoughts out of shows that I participate with, or shows that my friends are involved with. Especially if there are things that I would change, or just plain did not like. So with this one, I'd just like to say that part of the reason I have this blog is keep a written account of things that I like, and also to remind myself of all the things that I see. Anything said that is not positive is just a note for myself for future reference in the work that I do (it also does not mean that it isn't constructive). With that, here's my thoughts on the show I helped out with this past weekend!

This past weekend I helped a friend of mine with a show called Empire City in NYC. It is an original piece directed by Michael Silverstone and Abigail Browde which was developed and performed by the cast. The show seems to center around a group of young people who imagine what it will be like when they become elderly. It seems very playful in nature at first, but as things develop more and more fear starts to develop. The actors each took turns circulating through 3 central elderly characters, simply by taking the over-clothes off of one actor and putting it on for themselves. Each character has a relationship with the other. What was interesting, but maybe not as successful as possible quite yet, was seeing how the relationships changed when a new actor took over one of the roles. They each seemed to approach the characters differently, but had the general idea of what the character was supposed to be like. By the end of the show, you realize the biggest fear that each character, and probably each real person, shares: The fear of death. It’s a very sobering moment in the show because everything leading up to it had seemed so light and playful, almost like a group of kids playing make-believe in someone’s backyard. The action would move very fast at times, and could be quite funny, but then it would just hit a brick wall. This made the show such a rollercoaster because sometimes you would be so excited and laughing at what was going on, and then other times you would be bored and waiting for the action to pick back up again. That is not to say that at any given time there was not something going on on-stage and for that I commend the directors. Not a single moment was stale, and the boring moments were created by choice to help the audience feel as if they were also elderly. Some of the actors were BRILLIANT, but none seemed to be as immersed and comfortable in the various characters and movements than Abigail Browde. Her physical movements and facial expressions were spot on and her renditions of the characters were all so carefully crafted and different from one another. This continuously reminded the audience that the show was not about elderly people in general, but about 3 very specific personalities. Another standout performance worth mentioning was turned in by Ike Ufomadu, who gave a quirky edge to the show that seemed to drive a lot of what made the show funny. He also had a lot of energy, which drew a lot of focus during the intensive movement sections of the show. Knowing that the piece is still a work in progress, so to speak, the only way it can go is up. It is already a very interesting concept and a very engaging performance to watch and all of those involved should be proud of their work so far.

www.600highwaymen.org for more information