Smoldering goodness.

So I already told you about the show I saw at Woolly this weekend...

What I neglected to tell you is that I also had a chance to partake in Julie Lewis' Smolder being performed at that Strand.

What a beautifully written play. I'm not usually a fan of plays that have a ton of characters (especially considering it's 75 minute run time) but damn can Julie write a play. I do need to disclose that I have also chosen to direct a short by her later this summer for BPF, but that was way before I saw Smolder or had a chance to meet Julie. In that short/one act she also has a lot of characters, but somehow she knows how to make it work. I envy that a little, though don't tell anyone. ;)

The acting was good, but I think it could have gone farther. There seemed to be a little bit of a disconnect between the two "versions" of Sylvia, like the two actresses needed more time with the director working on the connection between the two. Though their performances were true to what they were experiencing.

I also think that the decoupaging needed to go MUCH further. That room needs to represent Sylvia trying to hold onto the control that she once had over her life. These images she cuts out are her literally trying to piece her life back together to what she thinks it once was. These pictures cover up what has become the pit that Sylvia now lives in. As I was sitting there watching I even figured out how to do it, but hey it's not my show, I'll stop before I cross a line.

And I have one question... Was Reno supposed to be Latino? It threw me off a bit because there were references to Latino culture and the actor was obviously Caucasian.

Anyways, I think Smolder is worth seeing. You've only got one more weekend. You can get tickets here.