"Jean Ann Douglass's 'The Providence of Neighboring Bodies' will remind you of our absurdist-in-chief Edward Albee...It's not easy to avoid the masters when you're trying to craft something short and sharp...A surprising and wicked little concoction...Douglass has a fine poetic ear and the actors are full of comic invention...It was impossible not to laugh, really. 'Bodies' is richly amusing, despite its strain of darkness."
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"Powerful text, strong direction, brilliant design, and phenomenal performances...It’s so smart and heartbreaking and agonizing...Chayes has crafted an exquisite gem full of nuanced moments and potent interactions. Her gifted hand can be seen in the clever staging and perfectly paced tension lines between the characters' inner turmoil and outward facade...This is an intelligent production that has stayed with me...A brilliant satirical metaphor that will ensure its longevity as a defining text."
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"Featuring a powerhouse cast of only three and a truly thought-provoking plot that gets more intricate the more I think about it, ‘Providence’ brings a lot of great artistic decisions together in such a small space, and in so short a time…There is so much about this play that really grows on you the more you try to weave your way through its seeming simplicity…A rather intriguing production which audiences will find as interesting during as after the show has ended."
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"Jean Ann Douglass’ bizarre, effervescent little play unfurls slowly like a magical flower…In a stream of narration directly to the audience, Dora goes about her quaint albeit dull day in the gentle, untroubled neighborhood of Rhode Island. It’s tediously funny…I promise there’s more in store for what becomes an allegory for the concern of the outsider, all with the pleasant veneer of smiles, comedy, and sunshine that makes for a jolting conclusion."
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"'Providence' contains plenty of theater magic, using a minimal set and few props and just three characters...Douglass has a flair for soliloquy aided by a keen eye for the details of everyday life...The writing is enhanced, however, by a truly mesmerizing performance from Lori Elizabeth Parquet as Dora...Douglass’ comedy is so entertaining it isn’t until afterward that you realize it is a tragedy about America in its present chaos. That’s theater magic."
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"Ms. Douglass' writing is very interesting and the play peals down the layers of friendships, loneliness and prejudice. Ms. Douglass has a lot to say and it hits home in subtle through lines...This is a company, actress and playwright to keep your eyes on. If you get a chance, 'Providence of Neighboring Bodies' just may surprise you at how good it is."
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“A quirky dramedy that strikes the right chord. Douglass has an innate ability when it comes to storytelling…Where she slightly stumbles is the perception of the themes. They are clearly present yet not prominent enough to feel intentional. In the grand scope of the play, it’s only a minor blip…‘The Providence of Neighboring Bodies’ was a consistently touching…A rare beauty. Jean Ann Douglass has crafted a play that exemplifies human connection in a manner that is subtle yet profound.”
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"Berkeley, Parquet, and Staats are beautifully cast...Jess Chayes directs minimally, which suits the production beautifully, allowing the words to do the work...Douglass’ script is somewhat sprawling but for the most part this works in favor of helping us get to know these women intimately...The funny and quirky 'The Providence of Neighboring Bodies' packs quite a big punch, and leaves you pondering some bigger questions on the way out the door."
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