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Spaceman

By Leegrid Stevens; Directed by Jacob Titus
Produced by Loading Dock Theatre

Off Off Broadway, Play
Runs through 3.9.19
The Wild Project, 195 East 3rd Street

 

by Linda Buchwald on 2.28.19

 

SpacemanErin Treadway in Spaceman. Photo by ClintonBPhotography.

 

BOTTOM LINE: The set, sound, and lighting design of Spaceman are out of this world, pun intended.

Last year after the first performance of Spaceman, Erin Treadway, the star of this mostly one-woman show (there is also a puppeteer, Shawn Davis), broke both her arms and the run of the show was cancelled. All's well that ends well and the play is back at the Wild Project for a full run with Treadway's arms recovered.

It's brave of Treadway to go back to this show—I'd be scared performing on that elevated floor-less set even if I hadn't recently gotten over an injury (though it wasn't the set, but a speaker, that caused her accident). Carolyn Mraz's intricate scenic design creates the inside of a spaceship as Treadway plays Molly Jennis, an astronaut on a mission to Mars. And the feats of design are extraordinary, especially for an Off Off Broadway production. The set, combined with playwright Leegrid Stevens' sound and Simon Cleveland's lighting, is so realistic that it makes the stakes feel appropriately high. At times it feels like the theater is shaking from the sound. In addition Davis, hidden in the background, lifts objects so they appear to be floating in space, which adds to the authenticity, as does the spacesuit (Heather Carey is the costume designer), and Treadway's convincing performance.

As for the play itself, it starts off strong, but goes on too long. There are several places it could have ended, with some overly melodramatic moments, like those dealing with Molly's backstory about her husband. Watching the day-to-day of Molly's time in space is drama enough (Stevens must have done extensive research), especially when it comes to the questions she has to answer from reporters and students. But if you're interested in technology and design, you're not likely to have a chance to see a show like this again, especially in such a small theater, anytime soon.

(Spaceman plays at The Wild Project, 195 East 3rd Street, through March 9, 2019. The running time is 1 hour 40 minutes with no intermission. Performances are Wednesdays through Fridays at 7:30; Saturdays at 3 and 7:30; and Sundays at 4. Tickets are $30 and are available by calling 866-811-4111 or at loadingdocktheatre.org.)

Spaceman is by Leegrid Stevens. Directed by Jacob Titus. Set Design by Carolyn Mraz. Props Design by Ryan Courtney. Lighting Design by Simon Cleveland. Costume Design by Heather Carey. Sound Design by Leegrid Stevens. Puppeteer is Shawn Davis. Movement Director is Jonathan Taylor. Stage Manager is Emily Venezia.

The cast is Erin Treadway.