Theater | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper: It’s hard to say what happens (or happened) in Quantum Theatre’s new production of Will Arbery’s Plano, now playing through Sun., April 24 in the former TechShop storefront at Bakery Square, but it’s happening again and again, slightly weirder each time. Layers and loops of memories that could be nightmares, and nightmares that could be memories carry the story. There are slugs and men with multiplying bodies (and the women who love them) in this play directed by Adil Mansoor.
3 comments:
I’m still itching to see theatre in Pittsburgh, and this seems like a great option to start with. This show definitely has that really subtle horror-esq undertone which is something I adore. I think that things that are meant to be “trippy” and “horror” can get kind of cliche if it is over done and trying too hard to creep you out instead of actually focusing on the subtleties. I think that the setting and the set design really adds to the story from what I can see. Growing up in a suburban area, they can be weirdly disorienting because all the houses look the same and evenly spaced, and I think the white porch setting really contributes to that. I think that the time shifts in the plan seem like a really interesting concept and further contribute to that disorienting effect. I really I hope that I can make some time to go and see this show for myself.
I keep hearing bits of conversation here and there in my classes about this show, so I really wanted to know more!! And, now I really, really need to find time to go see it. I’m going to be completely honest, I don’t know if I entirely understand quite what is going on in this show, but maybe that’s the point (at least of this article). Suburban Texas, but time warping and nothing is really explainable, and things are happening left and right? I heard that Xotchil did the lighting design, and I would absolutely love to see their work in this show: the article describes it as helping to create “vibrant and trippy” scenes as the audience finds themselves pulled into a time warp. Woah… I’ve been trying to find new things to explore and do in Pittsburgh, and I really think I’m going to need to find the time to go see this show ASAP!
I’ve bought my ticket and cannot wait to see the show this Saturday. For one, I’ve heard great things about Lisa Velten-Smith (Assistant Professor of Voice). “A great American actress,” is what I heard someone say in the hallway the other day, “think Meryl Streep”. I’m not joking. I heard that. And also, I’ve partly worked with Lisa as a Student Representative and at the very least she’s an actually nice person, which does it for me. Likewise, I’ve worked with Xotchil Musser (MFA Lighting Design '23) and can attest to the fact that their work is always incredible. They are both a great lighting designer and manager In terms of Plano, the story/themes in and of themselves seem intriguing. “Plano is a story about the metaphysical disorientation of trauma that is itself a disorienting experience” reads the article. I’m gonna try to get more people to go with me, I really think it’ll be worth it.
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