A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Confine

By Wes Hessel with Flo Mano

Wild Door Theater presents the Midwest premiere of “Maybe Tomorrow” in Studio B at The Athenaeum Center – the play is a Rubik’s Cube about a masterful psychological downward spiral of a game, with a play-acting couple starting in what appears to be a jail cell at first, but turns out to be a claustrophobic bathroom. This setup threatens to take us to the depths of delirium, in what is in essence an escape room, at least mentally.

The free spirited couple Gail and Ben find themselves in a situation they’re not ready for. They live in a “deluxe” trailer, trying to figure out the predicament (on which that do not agree) that changes their status quo. Incredible Isabella Isherwood (Gail) breaks the fourth wall, drawing the audience in with her intense, penetrating stare – questioning, asking, appealing her stance with the audience. Ben (Lucky Star giving a strong, compassionate performance) tries to stand up, accepting the responsibility of the situation. Gail decides to confine herself on the toilet literally with her laptop, isolating and conjecturing in her mind. Ben patiently attempts to bring her to reality, to no avail.

The playwright Max Mondi has written a complex marital mental breakdown play, with both humor and horror. Jose Martinez’s compact stage design conveys the psychotic entrapment; the lighting design by Josiah Croefaert contributes to the mood. Saawan Tiwari’s minimalist costumes work well, and Andrew Gallant’s direction is fine tuned. The highly recommended “Maybe Tomorrow” is confined to now through May 24th, so break out to www.wilddoortheater.com for tickets or more information. 

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