The aptly named “My First Play,” is unsurprisingly, the first play written by Pittsburgh native and CMU graduate of the John Walls Directing Program, Spencer Byham-Carson. He and fellow graduate Pria Dahiya, formed New Product Company, dedicated to “making plays about URL, IRL and everything in between.” They brand their company as an experimental theater company dedicated to boundary pushing original and adapted works that explore digital worlds.
“My First Play” is comprised of two one-act plays. Both highlight the influence the digital world plays in our lives.
“Youtube.com/The Family-Family” is set in the home of Youtube content creators, in the not too distant future. Mother (Siggy Bijou) is the offstage director/producer, clearly in charge, leaving Father (Mark Palmerine) and Child (Hannah Wyatt) with no control over what is included on the daily “shot list.” Father and Child must submit to Mother’s rigid demands. Every videoed segment must look spontaneous, no matter how many attempts are needed to do so. In one scene, Child must smash a birthday cake into Father’s face. After many attempts, Father is exhausted. It becomes glaringly obvious that this family exists only to create content. Nothing else matters. No friends, no other human interaction beyond their four walls other than Workers 1 and 2 (Evan Vines and Edward Patrick) The initial humorous familial interactions fade as the interactions evolve into a chilling foreshadowing of a future where, “Content is life.”
Wyatt skillfully and convincingly portrays Child at eight, sixteen and twenty something years old. Her engaging demeanor as an exploited child garners empathy from the audience, She depends on her adoring followers likes and comments to give her validation.
Palmerine is an energy fueled dynamo. At one point he deviates from the ‘shot list’ and morphs into Daniel Day Lewis in the movie “Lincoln” to deliver the Gettysburg Address. His great comedic timing reflects his experience performing improvisational comedy.
The deft actors, Vines and Patrick devise a plan (or is it a pact,) to rescue Child from her sequestered life. The scene where they’re debating the definition of plan versus pact is hilarious.
This entertaining, thought provoking glimpse at the possibilities of a digital future is worth contemplation.
“Earth Angel,” the second play, is an adaptation of a short story by Madeline Cash, adapted by Spencer Byham-Carson. Madeline (Siggy Bijou) is floundering in her life. She’s thirty years old, admittedly friendless and abusing copious prescription drugs that are prescribed by her online therapist. Her drug induced bizarre dreams are projected in real time on several screens including one huge wall sized screen. Her job is with a company that rebrands people and companies that have fallen from favor. Islamist terrorists are more palatable when they’re identified as a group qualifying for Affirmative Action status.
Dorian/Boss (Darryl Ifote) is a scene stealer in both of his roles. He is very funny, quirky and irresistible in his absurd character roles.
Both of these noteworthy provocative plays use technology in a striking way. The amazing display of technological artistry leaves one hoping to be dazzled by a sequel — perhaps entitled “My Second Play.”
Congratulations to New Product Company on their auspicious first production.
– LTL
