Weekly Margin 2024, W19: Staff Meal, Sleep No More

5/07/24: Staff Meal

What: Playwrights Horizons presents Abe Koogler's new play about a mysterious restaurant, that is somehow a mix of meetcute, restaurant culture, vagrant culture, a demolished fourth wall, and the end of the world.

And? This play is so fucking weird and I absolutely loved it. I don't properly know how to talk about it without spoiling it, and it's so much better to go in with as little information as possible. Fantastic work from everyone involved, including the eerie scenic design of Jian Jung lit gloomily by Masha Tsimring, with uncanny valley sound design by Tei Blow, and a pitch perfect ensemble cast, both heartbreaking and hilarious, directed by Morgan Green.

Jess Barbagallo, Carmen M. Herlihy, Erin Markey, and Hampton Fluker as
Server, Server, Christina, and Waiter. Photo by Chelcie Parry.

5/11/24: Sleep No More

What: Punchdrunk's immersive adaptation of Macbeth and the Paisley Witch Trials: an installation across five floors of a warehouse with dance and promenade audience, flavored by the music and style of the 1920s, and the scores of film composer Bernard Herrmann.

And? Technically a repeat visit, but after over a decade of not attending: I came to say goodbye, as the show will be closing next month. I didn't go in with a set plan, but let myself wander the space and explore the quieter parts of the space. I got to see the ballroom dance twice, once from the lower level, and once from the mezzanine, as well as a number of solo moments I didn't remember from before. I saw the card game but never managed to catch the interrogation. I followed Catherine for a good spell. I had given up the idea of getting a farewell 1:1 and was fine with that, when -- I got the sixth floor 1:1! After all this time! I'd assumed it wasn't happening anymore, once they opened up the Club Car upstairs. I've learned my lesson a bit since the year when I posted every spoiler and secret I could uncover here, so I won't detail it here (but will privately upon request). But oh, I'm so grateful I finally got to experience it. A beautiful farewell. And my friend Sophia left with a kiss from Hecate on her mask.

The card game. Photo source.