Three shows are currently playing at The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. Last Thursday, I was invited to attend The Edge of Our Bodies for Blogger Night at The Guthrie.
The Edge of Our Bodies by Adam Rapp is a one character play, with a brief appearance of a maintenance man. Bernadette sits on the set of The Maids as we enter and take our seats. When the play starts, she holds her journal and reads to us her journey. I didn't realize that the set was for the play within a play until a little ways into the show. Bernadette tells us that she needs to talk to her boyfriend. We learn of her feelings of isolation and abandonment, and her fears and frustrations. Her parents are so wrapped up in their own coping lifestyle, that they leave her to stumble around, a teen thrust into an adult world. Ali Rose Dachis plays the part superbly. She comes to life when she describes conversations she has along her journey with her boyfriend's dying father, her mixed-up mother, a bartender, and a lonely man. She also acts out bits of The Maids, a show she auditioned for in her prep school. At one point the Maintenance Man comes in to clear the set and says, "Tomorrow, this will all be gone." It was fascinating to watch a single actor bring the story to life in an hour and 20 minutes, non-stop. I feel like I need to watch it again to catch more of the details. Did she take her journal with her as she exits the final scene?
The use of lighting kept us focused. They threw in a few surprises, and told the story in raw, graphic language. I would not bring children to this show. It has adult themes about someone who isn't quite ready to be an adult. It brings to light the darkness of life, the difficult choices, and the way people get trapped inside their own lives. The Edge of Our Bodies are those moments when we step outside ourselves and take a hard look. Who is that person, and how could she (he) be me?
The Edge of Our Bodies is performed in the Dowling Studio of The Guthrie through November 20. Also showing are Much Ado About Nothing and Burial at Thebes, both ending this week. Up next, is their annual productios of A Christmas Carol and Charlie's Aunt. For show times go to www.guthrietheater.org.
To read more about my visit to The Guthrie Theater, go to http://maryaalgaard.blogspot.com/2011/10/edge-of-our-bodies-review.html.
