TOUCH
About the show
Libra Theater Company revives Toni Press-Coffman's drama about one man's struggle to move past grief and find human connection and love again.
... Read moreKyle Kalke, an astronomer since childhood and a high school 'science nerd,' falls for flamboyant, outspoken, open-hearted Zoe, who, astonishingly, loves him back. When she is kidnapped and murdered, Kyle is left to wrestle with the puzzling realities surrounding her death.
"'Touch' is an affecting play wonderfully staged with superb acting…'Touch' tells a very personal story of abiding love, the deep pain of loss, and the potential for healing after a tragedy. It is a completely enthralling show. The four-person cast is exceptional in their roles as they capture raw emotions and often unsettling moments…'Touch' is a show like you've never seen before. The distinctive characters and emotionally charged plot make it unforgettable." Full Review
“Toni Press-Coffman’s 2000 drama now having its first New York revival is a talky play whose first act is told almost entirely in monologues addressed to the audience. However, its depth of emotion and its detailed powerful character study make this an unusual evening of theater. Under Nathaniel Shaw’s compelling direction, the cast of four made up of Pete McElligott, Amadeo Fusca, Emily Batsford and Katrina Lenk are totally believable as they inhabit these characters.” Full Review
"A tender and humane play about love, loss, mourning, and a search for meaning, opening tonight in a well-acted and, yes, touching production…'Touch' is at its best when it is fully focused on Kyle as a struggling and realistically complicated, not always pleasant individual…Under Nathaniel Shaw's direction, McElligott does a splendid job of bringing the devastated Kyle fully to life and gives us good cause to join him through the long, sometimes meandering journey out of darkness." Full Review
"Playwright Toni Press-Coffman infuses several difficult passages with humor or takes us aside to illuminate earlier, lighter events…Relationships are layered and believable...Though it could be a bit shorter, the play will hold you fast. You may wince, grin, and tear up. Director Nathaniel Shaw has done a splendid job with both staging and characterization…Pacing, paramount in this piece, is marvelous…The nuance and depth of Pete McElligot’s performance is riveting." Full Review
"A fascinating tale of a great love crushed by a violent act, it’s part love story, part murder mystery, and a tender dissection of the human spirit...Artful humor, and flashes of humble yet cosmic grace relieve the sadness…With marvelous skill under the sure hand of director Nathaniel Shaw, McElligott and playwright Toni Press-Coffman continually pull us back in…Dramatic focus and entirely believable points of conflict make this slow-moving story grab hold for its full two hours." Full Review
"It requires a delicate dance to make a character we never see feel real enough for us to care about, while not hitting us over the head with necessary information. Fortunately, the playwright’s text and McElligott’s delivery are more than up to the task...Where the show runs into problems is with the character of Kyle...Direction by Shaw is rather slow-paced...Problems aside, 'Touch' remains a quietly involving piece about the human heart and the ways people respond in times of grief." Full Review
"This is a play for grown-ups and not those who have attention-deficit disorder...The splendid cast includes Pete McElligott (Kyle), who carries the play for the first half, and whose subtle, nuanced, always interesting performance is prize-worthy...The excellent director is Nathaniel Shaw...The playwright has expertly crafted a work using astronomy to both define the protagonist’s life and help him cope with death by lifting him above the terrestrial here and now." Full Review
"Nostalgia and grief spill from each expertly crafted line...The dialogue is fresh, raw, ragged, and at times troubling...The entire company has produced a beautiful tragedy about a violence whose effects are felt universally. The actors all deliver a thrilling (sometimes frightening) range of emotions that fill the small Theater C of 59E59...In the intimate room of the theater, there is no choice but be dragged in, to fall in love, to be devastated, to be horrified." Full Review
See it if You want to go on a journey of tragedy, grief, and finally, hope. Excellent writing and character acting.
Don't see it if You don't want to be immersed in strong emotions.
See it if you like darker shows, vaguely reminiscent of The Night Of, or a slower-moving, more in-depth episode of SVU
Don't see it if you have little patience for slow/long monologues -- I definitely felt the show dragged at points, especially in the beginning.
See it if You like touching human dramas performed by strong actors.
Don't see it if You're expecting a lot of action.
See it if you enjoy shows about people dealing with loss.
Don't see it if severe loss upsets you.
Also the folding chairs that serve as seats are fairly uncomfortable.
See it if you like completely engrossing long monologues to start a show, acted extremely well, a connected ensemble cast, & dark/sad themes.
Don't see it if you only like funny, witty plays with rapid banter, large, moving sets, or musicals!
See it if you like to dig deep in your heart
Don't see it if you want a feel good show
See it if You love the short stories on NPR radio where the story is told rather than performed. This is 10% show and 90% tell. Well done, but talky
Don't see it if You require action. Small quibble with plot resolution, but still an intelligent and moving high quality evening in the theater. Try it.
See it if you like intimate small theater exploring difficult life issues, science vs spirituality, and can manage a meandering plot and execution
Don't see it if you don't like small theater, actor monologues, difficult subject matter, poetry
See it if You like somewhat nonlinear stories exploring science, spirit and the aftermath of grief in the wake of crime
Don't see it if You or someone close to you have been the victim of a violent crime, or if you have very strong feelings about prostitution
See it if an intimate setting for an up close look at the impact of loss on decisions and relationships; strong storytelling
Don't see it if subject matter of murder is too emotional; extended periods of actor's storytelling is not engaging for you; you want something uplifting
See it if You enjoy psychological plays. Writing and acting are fantastic!
Don't see it if You don't like plays or small spaces. The space was perfect for the production, but maybe not for everyone.
See it if you enjoy deep emotional subjects, intimate staging
Don't see it if you are sensitive about dark realities, death, murder and rape, you want to see something light and entertaining
See it if You like tortured low key romantic heroes grieving stubbornly, two male BFFs who are there for each other, real-feeling lived in characters
Don't see it if Over broad romantic tales involving loss by violence are not your thing, you don't like bland mysteries, unreserved seating, exterior noise
See it if enjoy good acting by those involved in a sad situation. The acting is intense.
Don't see it if you are not ready for a 30 minute monologue to start the play. There was a stretch where the actors (director's decision) speak too softly.
See it if A fantastic piece performed effortlessly and memorably is your cup of tea.
Don't see it if family themes and other nefarious acts aren't something you find entertaining.
See it if like original plays on love and loss with good acting and staging.
Don't see it if you want a play that moves faster than this (it's too long), or has a happy ending or is more focused.
See it if you enjoy superb young actors in a sad story about loss, astronomy & poetry. Wished for a clearer understanding of the playwright's intent.
Don't see it if you want action, a happy ending or a clear message. The script is a bit unfocused and could use some editing. Worth seeing for the actors.
See it if Like original, new shows that are thought provoking with excellent young actors.
Don't see it if You don't want to see a show about death , rape and how to get through a spousal death.
See it if You're interested in shows about grief/loss. The lead & story are good but it would work better as a Lifetime movie w/ a script overhaul.
Don't see it if It's in need of some SERIOUS editing & refocusing. Some subplots are absolutely unnecessary. Kudos to Lenk who is a bright spot in Act2.
See it if they make severe editing. Plot has tremendous potential. Great acting but misdirected/saccharine. Good staging/lighting/sound.
Don't see it if Writing is pedantic, contrived, self indulgent, proselytizing (Keats). Unnecessarily long. Uncomfortable theater. 150 min should be 90.
See it if You want to see excellent acting performed in a small theater - you are only a few feet away from the performers.
Don't see it if You are not interested in viewing the emotional and psychological reactions to a life altering tragedy.
See it if you like-romantic dramas-story on the survival of the human spirit. excellent cast especially lead who gives moving heartbreaking monologues
Don't see it if you want a comedy or you don't like-multiple timelines-small venues-minimal set design-profound introspective on love, loss & moving on
See it if you like intense stories. Terrific acting. Great first act. I didn't like the direction the second act took. Interesting, none the less.
Don't see it if you don't like slower moving dramas that take time to build. Could be a bit shorter.
See it if you want to see extraordinary acting (lead is mesmerizing!) in a beatiful, well paced drama that feels honest and touched my heart.
Don't see it if you want a simple story. This one is uniquely told. Think of it as a mosaic. Some parts are dark but you need them to see the light.
See it if you can handle very upsetting subjects. It very well may make you cry. Also see if you like well done, long monologues.
Don't see it if you can't handle Law & Order SVU.
Cast & Creatives (12)
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