Bright Half Life - review

[Jane Zussman]

Tanya Barfield’s Bright Half Life seems more of a portrait than a play — a mosaic portrait pieced together from pivotal moments in the lives of two complicated women trying to love each other with hope and endurance — flashing back and forth from 1985 to 2031.

Erica (Dani Ciochrane) and Vicki (Tamara PiLar) create each mosaic piece, coming together on a mysterious cloudy void of a set (Jennifer Maiseloff) with locations created by lighting (Rachael Nardecchia) and sound (Suzi Regan). I note that director Megan Buckley-Ball and all the other tech staff are women.

Though lesbian and interracial issues are included (Vicki is Black; Erica is white) universal issues of attraction, devotion, conflict, and compromise make this mosaic portrait relatable to everyone. With humor and compassion, it celebrates the volatility of a long-term relationship.

This is another script that benefits from the intimate closeness of the small Williamston venue where you can experience the nuances of two excellent actresses artfully traveling the messy-but-worth-it pathway of long-term relationship. 

Bright Half Life continues through May 19. Tickets and info at http://www.williamstontheatre.org

Jane Zussman

G.L.U.T. List

(Greater Lansing Ubiquitous Theatre)

517-323-6855

cell 517-930-0932

JSZu...@gmail.com

http://www.greaterlansingtheatre.net 

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