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Crave by Lynx Performance Theatre 
The audience members surround the four actors, sitting
almost on top of them. The intimacy is uncomfortable. Especially as the actors,
eyes closed, begin revealing their innermost thoughts. Stream of consciousness
thoughts of a mind spiraling towards hopelessness, paranoia, and suicide. The
thoughts of playwright Sarah Kane dealing with issues of sex, love, rape,
confusion, and death. One year before she ended her life.
“I’m having a breakdown because I’m going to die.” At first the voices of the four-member ensemble are disconcerting as the often-overlapping voices and personalities in Sarah’s head revealing her fears, memories, and conversations come pouring forth. But it is not long into the fifty-minute performance before the style begins to feel almost natural. The cast members are at times distinct, yet like their voices at times overlap. Sonya Bender is the often relaxed, mesmerizing voice of Sarah’s despair, attempts to explain, or matter-of-fact capitulation, with Sonya using her voice and the mike like a surgeon. Andrew Kennedy is often the boyfriend trying unsuccessfully to reason with and understand her. Jennifer Jonassen is often the angry, coarse Sarah yelling at all that has frustrated and wronged her. Jo Dempsey often uses her voice and countenance to artfully transform herself into several characters including Sarah’s mother and her psychologist who is unable to say whatever, if anything, may have been able to bring Sarah from the edge. “I hate these words that keep me alive.” Director Al Germani has a clear feel for the piece, which becomes a singular, haunting theatrical experience that deftly uses sound, voice, and proximity to draw the audience into it whether they want to go or not. Performs through June 11, 2006.
~ Cast ~
Sonya Bender Jo Dempsey Jennifer Jonassen Andrew Kennedy Direction, Lighting & Stage Design: Al Germani |