The world premiere of a dramatic living room play about the family dynamics of having a disabled child as the parents age and the child is no longer a child..
Piper is never labeled as autistic (the word autism appears once in an ad for a tracking device). But it is obvious she has severe autism, and will never be able to support or care for herself. Or even adequately express her needs.
The acting is superb, and the script is very tight with no wasted lines or scenes. Just the right balance of drama, outbursts, and even humor.
Aimee K. Bryant and Peter Knox do an excellent job as the parents, aware of their mortality, and just trying to do the best for both of their offspring. They perfectly capture the honest differences, and bickering of two people trying to deal with a situation that has no guidebook.
Piper (Kelly Eubank) is realistically in her own world, doing her monologues, eating separately, and ready to explode if anything happens that she does not expect. The violent outbursts and head butting are very realistic and effectively grab the audience’s attention.
Dan Johnson as the son, holds the story together and very successfully sets up the intense finale.
Director Leah Smith did an excellent job with the competing dialogue and direction. The action is as tight and realistic as the script.
Writer, Anna Tatelman, is an award winning young playwright that has obviously "walked the walk".
The ending is intensely emotional, but not saccharin. Highly recommended.
Thank you so much for your review! We really appreciate you coming.
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