The Climb

See it if you’d like a profound consideration about how the most loving of gazes can become a prison for the loved one.

Don't see it if you are looking for light entertainment: this one goes deep.

Also In “The Climb” C.A. Johnson takes her time introducing a quartet of characters over a series of neatly fitting, slowly unfolding short scenes. A young black woman, sole subject of the photographs of her well-known, somewhat older white wife, is taking a break from marriage for a monthlong hike. The play braids 2 ensuing stories. The “muse” becomes involved with “some dude” on the hike & back home her wife becomes involved with her young woman student. By halftime all 4 have achieved bull-blown confusion, important for what Johnson wants to deal with: Must our perceptions across race, gender, & age, even of those we love, by nature “other” the other? Johnson is generous with all, so there is no villain. Between the plotted scenes a series of direct address presentations, mostly art lectures, double as profound considerations of the play’s knotty questions. Sound wordy? I found it gripping. The playwright has acute insight into these people & is too honest to give any easy answers.... Read more Read less

See it if Multiple roles/relationships get complicated: Photographer/subject, professor/student, spouse/friend, participant/observer, lover/exploited.

Don't see it if Plot adds multiple interesting conflicts and ultimately leaves their resolution uncertain. Lack of communication (silence) is a common flaw.

See it if First of all, I don't know anyone affiliated with this play. This was- hands-down - one of the best plays I have EVER seen and from an up-&-

Don't see it if Coming playwright at that. The mentor did a great job. Aside from some diction issues, from the male actor, superb job all around. So smart,

Also Yet, non-condescending, emotive, and careful attention to details; everything was woven so perfectly. It felt so real! The drama, the intensity, the heightened states. Of course, some humor to break the tension helped. Members of my audience gasped, which is a good thing. The set? Oh my God! So minimal, yet I REALLY felt that I was in the lead couple's dining room, or the Professor's office, or on a mountain. I laughed, gasped, and shed a tear. Great job guys! I wish this were on longer, for more people to see. Reasons not to see it??? NONE, unless you're homophobic, opposed to interracial relationships, simulated sex on stage, cussing, photography, weed, or teacher-student relations. "Cherry Lane" theatre... awesome work! The last three pieces I've seen here, this year, all gems...... Read more Read less

See it if into the convo about objectification in art and in love (particularly thru race/age lens), you like a slow burn of 2 people growing closer

Don't see it if relationships with large age gaps or btw professor/student are triggering