Crack'd (Frigid Festival 2010)
Off-Off-Broadway, One-Woman Show
The Red Room, 85 East Street
BOTTOM LINE: An emotional late night journey through the eyes of a daughter grieving for her mother.
Crack'd is a solo show written and performed by Catherine Montgomery and directed by Heather Davies. It's main character takes us on a lake night journey.
I usually don't like to read too much of a play's synopsis or blurb beforehand so I can come in to the theatre neutral, with no preconceptions. When I go to see opera I have to read the program, there's nothing more frustrating than not having a loose grasp of the plot and then struggling to understand what's transpiring onstage. For Crack'd, I really wish I had paid more attention to the blurb, because for most of it, I really had no clue that it was about Trace Morgan, the solo character, dealing with the death of her mother. Undoubtedly, the last scene brought this all together, and I enjoyed the play, but came away asking what it really was about.
Montgomery's movements in the scene changes are lovely; it is almost a dance piece at times and I especially enjoyed the fluid motions in the scene where she has a romantic escapade with a sheet that is filling in as her partner. Much of this play made me feel more like I was watching a performance art piece, which in this case didn't seem too far-fetched. I especially loved her conversation with a true sock puppet...and her shoes.
Crack'd is a very well polished and put together play. It seems to have had a great amount of time spent developing and cultivating it. There is definitely no reason to blame Canada here (motherland of this production); Montgomery and Davies have created a beautiful, smoky play that I found quite fascinating.
(Crack'd plays at the Red Room, 85 East 4th Street, through March 6, 2010. Remaining performance is March 6th at 8pm. Tickets are $16 and can be purchased at smarttix.com. For more festival information visit frigidnewyork.info.)