[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of Collaborative Artist Ensemble’s In the Balance at The Sherry Theater.
Halloween may have been a few days ago, but the spookiness continues at The Sherry Theatre with the highly entertaining In the Balance, presented by the Collaborative Artists Ensemble. As soon as one walks into the theatre, we come face to face with four ghosts that interact with the audience members. This welcoming committee adds dramatically to the atmosphere of the unknown.
Once the lights go out, we are greeted by an eerie soundscape that draws our attention to a lone bassinet where presumably an infant lies, but never cries. When the lights go on, we are greeted by Matt and Cass, a young couple who on the outside seem to have it all, but a series of circumstances will eventually uncover the dark secrets they hide. The character of Matt is played with a frightening urgency by Jason Sino. Meg Wallace plays the character of Cass with a heartbreaking despair that adds to the psychological tension of the play.
Later in the evening, Matt and Cass are visited by another couple. Kostya, Matt’s estranged college roommate, and Alicia, Kostya’s Mexican girlfriend with a deep connection to the spiritual world. Paul Simpson plays Kostyra with a centred grace that reminds one of a young Bruce Dern. Alicia is played by Crismar Chacin-Ruiz, who brings a youthful and uncompromising confidence to the character.
The dynamics of the four characters bring this production to new heights of authenticity and believability. This is only possible when you have a director who understands both the story and his actors. Bravo, Trace Oakley. The play dances between psychology thriller and horror while maintaining the balance of pace and deft dialogue. That could only be achieved by the skilled writer of the play, A. David Redish.
In The Balance is highly entertaining and another hit from the Collaborative Arts Ensemble. NoHo theatre needs companies like the Collaborative Arts Ensemble, that continue to push the boundries of theatre. In the Balance is a fascinating study of the desperation of humans to believe in anything that prevents the inevitability of nothingness. Bravo!
Tickets:
https://3common.com/event/in-the-balance/68dc7ce6a93aa6c230011658
When:
October 31-November 16
Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 7PM
Where:
The Sherry Theatre,
1052 Magnolia Blvd, NoHo Arts District, CA 91601
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