“A dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity…” well, not quite. Thyma and Aspid find themselves trapped- in a barren room with two locked doors, but where are they? What sets them free? And most importantly, what happens after this? The Same Room explores human compassion in a new light and begs the question- What becomes of us when we refuse to heal? Lucid Dramatics, winner of the 2018 “Best in Ensemble” Hollywood Fringe Award is excited to bring the World Premiere of The Same Room to the 2019 Hollywood Fringe Festival.
The Same Room
Critics
LemonMeter
Reviews: 6
Reviews
In a tight 40+ minutes, two people wrestle with each other and themselves trying to escape "The Same Room." But are they two different...and/or are they two people? Frenetic and heartfelt, the way out always seems to come from forgiveness. That's the part of this show that's sticky and is with me still. Good job.
“The Same Room” is about as intimately intense as it can get. Playwright and Actress Kelley Pierre's razor-sharp script points a laser beam on the effects of retained anger and resentment, and the gifts that forgiveness, understanding, and even self-acceptance, might bring. Together with Sam Sheeks, the two actresses play off each other seamlessly as their two characters in “The Same Room” take us through the kinds of wounded animal reactions that can spring from such pain and resentment, whether fueled by stubbornness and insecurities, or brought on by host of other obstacles that we place in front of ourselves and others when we refuse to accept or open ourselves to all variety of forgiveness. Neatly directed by Scott Golden, we acutely feel the claustrophobia, desperation, fear, and confusion of these characters which is intensified by the fight choreography of Nikki Muller, while the mystery slowly evolves. Golden intensifies these feelings by very smartly housing the show in the very smallest of theatre spaces, forcing an intimacy that manages to be both equally uncomfortable as well as comforting. The chemistry between his actors is acute as well, where body language and movement are keenly used in the small Broadwater space. This show simply might not work in a larger theatre. The end result might make you want to watch it again to see what briefest of hints you might have missed in this amazing exploration of what it truly means to be free. (NO EXTERNAL STORY URL)
Pierre and Sheeks do an excellent job as the two women figuring out the puzzle while they’re also seething at each other. Director Scott Golden keeps the drama flowing at every turn (helped in no small part by Nikki Muller’s fight choreography).
...the story builds, the escape room device gets to your heart, and I left believing that with further development, “The Same Room” could make for a dynamic hour-long two-hander. In other words, an ideal Fringe show. - RECOMMENDED
Kelly Pierre has written one of the most compelling shows of HFF19. Scott Golden has captured her intent and directed a show that is worthy of attention, praise and awards. Not only did Pierre write the play, but she appears with the amazing Fringe virgin Sam Sheeks in this outstanding two-hander. The play begs the question – what does it take for us to heal, forgive and have compassion on those with whom we interact? The Same Room is truly a MUST-SEE at HFF19, and definitely worth checking out
There are one or two moments that appear on the surface to run contrary to character motivations, but they are few and with a premiere play, something to simply note and amend when remounted. And The Same Room should be remounted. The No Exit similarities will persist, surely, but the insights to our humanity in The Same Room are far more compassionate and hopeful than Sartre. And that makes The Same Room the right version for today’s world.
Recommended
It is a very athletic piece of theatre formed out of a deep interest in philosophical questions and that’s something we want to encourage. We just wish we had more of a chance to access these characters and maybe understand a little bit about their world.
The Same Room is an extraordinary, intoxicating play. It's hard, twisted edges can be uncomfortable to begin with, but anyone willing to take the time and listen can learn about the importance of learning to speak love to oneself and others.
It is without a shadow of a doubt I recommend seeing this production, this is a must see performance at the 2019 Hollywood Fringe Festival.
“The Same Room” is about as intimately intense as it can get. Playwright and Actress Kelley Pierre's razor-sharp script points a laser beam on the effects of retained anger and resentment, and the gifts that forgiveness, understanding, and even self-acceptance, might bring. Together with Sam Sheeks, the two actresses play off each other seamlessly as their two characters in “The Same Room” take us through the kinds of wounded animal reactions that can spring from such pain and resentment, whether fueled by stubbornness and insecurities, or brought on by host of other obstacles that we place in front of ourselves and others when we refuse to accept or open ourselves to all variety of forgiveness. Neatly directed by Scott Golden, we acutely feel the claustrophobia, desperation, fear, and confusion of these characters which is intensified by the fight choreography of Nikki Muller, while the mystery slowly evolves. Golden intensifies these feelings by very smartly housing the show in the very smallest of theatre spaces, forcing an intimacy that manages to be both equally uncomfortable as well as comforting. The chemistry between his actors is acute as well, where body language and movement are keenly used in the small Broadwater space. This show simply might not work in a larger theatre. The end result might make you want to watch it again to see what briefest of hints you might have missed in this amazing exploration of what it truly means to be free. (NO EXTERNAL STORY URL)
Pierre and Sheeks do an excellent job as the two women figuring out the puzzle while they’re also seething at each other. Director Scott Golden keeps the drama flowing at every turn (helped in no small part by Nikki Muller’s fight choreography).
...the story builds, the escape room device gets to your heart, and I left believing that with further development, “The Same Room” could make for a dynamic hour-long two-hander. In other words, an ideal Fringe show. - RECOMMENDED
Kelly Pierre has written one of the most compelling shows of HFF19. Scott Golden has captured her intent and directed a show that is worthy of attention, praise and awards. Not only did Pierre write the play, but she appears with the amazing Fringe virgin Sam Sheeks in this outstanding two-hander. The play begs the question – what does it take for us to heal, forgive and have compassion on those with whom we interact? The Same Room is truly a MUST-SEE at HFF19, and definitely worth checking out
There are one or two moments that appear on the surface to run contrary to character motivations, but they are few and with a premiere play, something to simply note and amend when remounted. And The Same Room should be remounted. The No Exit similarities will persist, surely, but the insights to our humanity in The Same Room are far more compassionate and hopeful than Sartre. And that makes The Same Room the right version for today’s world.
Recommended
It is a very athletic piece of theatre formed out of a deep interest in philosophical questions and that’s something we want to encourage. We just wish we had more of a chance to access these characters and maybe understand a little bit about their world.
The Same Room is an extraordinary, intoxicating play. It's hard, twisted edges can be uncomfortable to begin with, but anyone willing to take the time and listen can learn about the importance of learning to speak love to oneself and others.
It is without a shadow of a doubt I recommend seeing this production, this is a must see performance at the 2019 Hollywood Fringe Festival.
In a tight 40+ minutes, two people wrestle with each other and themselves trying to escape "The Same Room." But are they two different...and/or are they two people? Frenetic and heartfelt, the way out always seems to come from forgiveness. That's the part of this show that's sticky and is with me still. Good job.