Part of FringeNYC: One Bench. Two Strangers. STILL NOT is an honest, comedic, skewed-romantic exploration into the traps of waiting for love...and the fear that it may never come. More…
Categories: Comedy, Drama, Local. Written by Harrison Bryan. Directed by Rory Lance.
FROM THE ARTIST:
* STILL NOT began as a ten-minute scene written for a class at Boston University. Over six years, as playwright Harrison Bryan’s perspective on life and relationships changed, this skewed-romantic comedy evolved into a 75-minute story of six days, exploring themes of fate, desire, dependency, and progression. STILL NOT stars the playwright, Harrison Bryan, and Shelby Hightower. The two actors met in Boston, where they dated for three years before ultimately separating. They have remained friends, and with this production they face the rewarding, but often difficult, challenge of being artistic collaborators yet again.
“When I first started working on STILL NOT, Shelby, and I were just friends. Eventually we started dating, and as our relationship evolved, so did my relationship to the play and to the characters,” said Bryan. “We are not these characters, and the play is not about us specifically, but we certainly feel the weight of our history on the play - and its impact on our performances."
* “A declaration by two young performers that they are going to throw their hearts and souls into this profession and will carve out a permanent place for themselves in this industry. You can feel their optimism and youthful ambition pouring off the stage.” - NY Theatre Guide
* "STILL NOT is hopeful yet heartbreaking- practical yet idealistic. Harrison Bryan has a something special in his hands.” - Theatre In The Now
* Funny! But Heart-Breaking!...The play is dedicated to anyone who's ever been hurt - or healed - by love. May we all find inner peace - and share it with the world.
See it if You want a human, charming, lovely two hander about modern relationships.
Don't see it if You are expecting ground breaking new theater. This is simple and rewarding but its not innovative.
See it if you are young and like to examine relationships. It started a little slow for me, but got better in the second half.
Don't see it if you want a very dynamic, profound show.
See it if you are sensitive to the nuances of relationships. The dialogue felt totally natural and the show is flawlessly cast. Poignant with humor.
Don't see it if you are looking for lots of action. This budding relationship (or lack thereof) unfolds gradually as a guy and girl sit on a bench and chat.
See it if you like rom-coms
Don't see it if you want something a little bit more serious
See it if You've been in a relationship and want to laugh
Don't see it if you need a lot of music in your plays
See it if you have ever been in that awkward situation where you see someone that you really want to meet and get to know.
Don't see it if you don't believe in love and relationships.
See it if You ever were lonely and shy and horribly awkward and self-conscious and single in your 20s
Don't see it if You were always popular in your 20s and never lonely and always could get a girlfriend or boyfriend whenever you wanted and are narcissistic
See it if The actors are great, committed and connected to the characters and the well-written dialog, especially Harrison Bryan who is very charming.
Don't see it if The romantic story line is superficial. You never get to know the characters on a deeper level which makes the play seem long.
See it if You enjoy watching new play writers attempt to develop characters and new ideas about relationships.
Don't see it if You don't like two person plays.
See it if Like to be entertained. Harrison and Shelby are wonderful in their parts.
Don't see it if If you are looking for straight drama. This is a show where you will laugh and cry.
See it if If you like shows that make you question reality.
Don't see it if You are looking for slapstick comedy.
See it if You like plays with good banter and lots of heart. The play provides a certain empowerment over ones' feelings - and has lots of good laughs
Don't see it if If you want to see a play that tackles more socially relevant topics - this play is ambiguous and all about relationships. Not political.
See it if you want to see two actors who fit their roles perfectly. It's a thought-provoking play about the struggles of relationships and love.
Don't see it if you would rather spend 75 minutes doing something outside a small - pretty warm - theater. It's also a little sad, so fair warning.
See it if you're a hopeless romantic. the play is beautifully done and as someone who has loved and lost - I've been on the "bench" before. Relatable.
Don't see it if You're over love stories. If you don't like character driven pieces. Or if you want more than two characters. Also - the theater is a hot.
See it if you're dealing with heart-break. (It's a beautiful slap in the face letting you know its ok!) Honest work from both actors. Snappy writing.
Don't see it if you want flashy costumes and a big set. The only set piece is a bench - and most of the time the actors are sitting. Requires some focus.
See it if You are interested in hearing about young love and lighthearted humor
Don't see it if looking for something more thought provoking about and loss or finding love
See it if you have ever known somebody briefly, now regret letting them go, and want to recognize that you far from alone in having this experience.
Don't see it if you consider yourself incapable of romantic feelings. Or, see it and maybe have your mind changed!
See it if You like to laugh, you're into witty banter, or you like a good love story
Don't see it if You're looking for an action-filled 70 minutes.
See it if you like a show that makes you ask yourself "What happens to Him?". Thought provoking, funny and so relatable. Loved it.
Don't see it if you don't like strangers, squirrels, big umbrellas or waiting.
See it if You love dealing with questions of love and want to think and or/laugh and/or cry. It's a sweet and gentle story of love and heart-break.
Don't see it if You hate Beckett, witty banter, Or aren't into the indie theatre scene.
See it if You want to see a sweet and simple play that relies on subtle and nuanced dialogue to explore challenges faced in relationships and love.
Don't see it if If you dislike Beckett. It's kinda abstract - quirky/hyper-realistic - but sometimes they act naturally. or dislike romantic/sad comedies.
See it if Kept you interested from beginning to end
Don't see it if you have Velumiphobia (fear of umbrellas)
See it if You care about love or have ever been in love. This play deals with circumstances that everyone goes though. Love is relatable.
Don't see it if You have never been in love or what it means to be in love. You might be fearful of love but that should give you even more reason to see it
See it if you remember that break up you tried to fix or that love you tried to woo. This show reminds us that love hurts and yet is still wonderful.
Don't see it if you've never been in love. You just might not get it ... but then again, you just might. The play leaves you wondering. Just like love!
See it if You want a perceptive young approach to an old school play. The two characters rarely ever move but keep the audience engaged. Very funny.
Don't see it if You want a lot of action of just fluff. The staging is subtle but there's not a lot of movement. A little simple, but a lot of heart.