Theatre Review: "Proximity" by TheaterWorks Hartford

Hartford - Who's in your bubble?

“Proximity” is a virtual production commissioned this year by TheaterWorks Hartford that is streaming now through Sept. 29. The show is a part of The WORKshop Series with thanks to producing partner The John and Kelly Hartman Foundation and Lee Kuckro and is a streamed reading of a new play in development.

Newly divorced and sheltering at home with her two children, Ezra Sampson-Burks hasn’t been touched by another adult in eight months. When she’s introduced to Irie Witter-Pryce, a charismatic fellow single parent, at a virtual PTA meeting, their immediate attraction causes Ezra to reconsider the limits of her Covid-bubble.

This is another contemporary pandemic play, and one that focuses on the difficulty of maintaining one’s Covid-bubble to protect the children in the family. There is certainly the aspect of the budding romance between two of the characters to follow, although I found the ending a bit unclear. It may have been because the reading was streamed and the interaction of the couple was therefore stilted. Perhaps I missed one of the stage direction slides, because the stream was otherwise of high quality.

The cast is made up of four strong Equity actors that bring the characters to life despite being in separate locations. With the exception of a few brief moments, it did not appear that any of the actors were reading their lines, making the performances even more impressive. There is some very strong language in the script, but the sexuality aspects are handled gently.

Ezra Sampson-Burks is played by Marinda Anderson in her TheaterWorks Hartford debut. The actress earned a BFA from Howard University and her MFA from NYU Graduate Acting Program and has appeared Off-Broadway. It is easy to relate to the now single mom coping with all of the challenges of being newly divorce in addition to the restrictions of the pandemic.

Irie Witter-Pryce is portrayed by Anastacia McCleskey in her TheaterWorks Hartford debut.
Her credits include seven Broadway shows, tons of NY and regional theater, recurring on a few TV shows, some films and singing with & back-up for many artists.

Elliot Witter-Pryce is played by Stacey Sargeant in her debut with TheaterWorks Hartford The actress, who holds a BFA in musical theater from Syracuse University, was part of the first national tour of “Legally Blonde.” The actress earned a BFA from Howard University and her MFA from NYU Graduate Acting Program and has appeared Off-Broadway.

Ulises Brana, the former husband of Ezra, is played by Luis Vega in his TheaterWorks Hartford debut.

The play was written by Harrison David Rivers, an award-winning playwright, librettist and screenwriter. His plays include When We Last Flew (GLAAD Award.) and he is the winner of the 2018 Relentless Award for “The Bandaged Place.”

David Mendizabal directed the actors from their various locations, making the stream look as real as possible with the set advisor Wilson Chin. Credits include “On The Grounds of Belonging at Long Wharf. David was a participant in the TCG Leadership U: One-on-One program, where they were the Artistic Associate at Atlantic Theater Company.

I have been spoiled by having the opportunity to recently attend live and in person productions, so I suppose virtual performances pale in comparison. However, “Proximity” was an enjoyable offering that can be experienced in the comfort of your “bubble.”

Streaming September 10th-29th : https://sforce.co/3Acw35e

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.