Theater | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper: The titular basement in Theresa Rebeck's Downstairs is unfinished, but the amenities are decent. There's a couch with a couple of blankets, a Mr. Coffee, a sink, a little fridge, a shower and a Pittsburgh toilet, and an old PC. This is more than enough for Teddy (Martin Giles), who subsists mostly on corn flakes and stale coffee, but the living situation is less than ideal for his sister, Irene (Helena Ruoti), and her husband, Gerry (John Shepard), who own the basement and the house above it.
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For our first assignment with Susan last semester (the scavenger hunt), I got to go to the City Theatre! I learned about their 2019-2020 season. Downstairs was one of the later plays in their series, and it's crazy that we're already here! This play sounds really lovely, and I'd love to make it out if I can (the Southside is just such a fun and exciting neighborhood in general, too). I really love plays with a small cast. I feel like it makes room for more intimacy and characters with a lot more depth. I'd rather get to know a few characters too well than not feel any substance with a large amount of characters. I think the dynamic between brother, sister, husband, wife, and brother-in-law can be tense and rewarding, and based on the review, I feel like there's lots to unpack. Why did Irene get all their mother's inheritance? What's going on with Teddy? Does Gerry have some secret? I also think it's interesting we only get to see the basement. What's the rest of the house like? Would it have given us more of a clue about the status of Irene and Gerry's relationship? This show has such a simple premise that can really go so many different ways. I hope I can make it out to see it!
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