Overwhelming "Senses"

I used to think theater was like the culinary arts. A temporal art form. I was mistaken.

With food, you can behold (or create) something beautiful, enriching to the bodies of your audience. But no matter how glorious the creation, it will soon be gone forever.

Yes, in its corporeal form, theater is temporal. However, once viewed, a great piece of theater can stay with you forever. Amazing theater can change you in ways that you'll ponder endlessly. Ways that change your perspective about yourself, art, and the universe.

“Senses,” written and directed by Abby Wake, (presented as part of the 2012 Hollywood Fringe Festival) is such theater.

Master chefs will tell you that pure, high-quality ingredients, and a simple, well-executed recipe, are all you need to create magnificence. No fancifulness is needed. No trickery. Purity. That’s all that matters.
 

And the “Senses” cast is pure, beautiful talent. Scene after scene could of have become maudlin, cheesy, excruciating with the slightest misstep. Yet in each scene, the actors display awe-inspiring control, focus, even playfulness as each rehearsed moment believably unfolds anew.

The piece’s overall recipe was simple. A multi-course meal of short stories that so closely reflect normal 21st century life, they must happen a thousand times a day, everywhere, in every language -- but this is no dreaded slice-of-life triteness.

It’s within that universality, that Ms. Wake’s genius shines through. Abby’s dialogue is crisp and refreshing. And real. It’s utterly delightful to see the players infuse every, single, word with unadulterated truth.

“Senses” is very personal journey for Ms Wake (who signed each program), and is thus very intimate for us privileged enough to behold it.

Grotowski would be proud. As would anyone who appreciates brilliant acting.

LA theater reviews by LA Theater Critic.