Providence, Rhode Island
About the show
Nightdrive presents the world premiere of this dramedy about how people build towns, how towns build memories, and how those memories build new people and towns. Part of The Tank’s Flint & Tinder series. More…
There’s this town. All these people live there. There are all these places they live in. And eat at. And avoid. And die in. It’s the kind of town you hear about and think: “I should take a trip up there. For the fall colors.” But you never do. Tonight is all about this town. And its people. And their places. There are also giant squirrels, memorial dances, and a set of quintuplets mysteriously separated at birth—but you'll learn about them later.
"As an audience member, the ultimate delight of this show is gradually discovering how it’s all connected. The show is richly thought-out and incredibly complex, and following the threads is deeply enjoyable. 'Providence, RI' is extremely smart, funny, sincere, and creepy, with something for everyone...Audience participation can often be gimmicky, but 'Providence, RI' uses it sincerely and in a way that makes it absolutely vital to the show." Full Review
“It’s all a bit madcap and a bit messy...The excellent structural trick of 'Providence, RI' is that Act One functions as an abstract of the play. It summarizes the characters and settings that will accrue meaning in the subsequent acts…There are some limitations to this scheme. As the play increasingly leaves behinds the detailed pleasures of Act One for something weirder and grander, certain narrative threads are harder to shake off…The cast is uniformly excellent.” Full Review
"Without a doubt, this piece desperately needs to be edited down with more cohesion and clarity. There are moments and beats that are interesting…What made sense to the creators didn't always shine through for the audience. Fox and Henriques have a unique voice together. Their ability to incorporate humor and poetry kept the piece afloat. It's playful dialogue yet tragically full of itself…There's great promise in this piece. It just needs fresh guidance from a new source." Full Review
See it if you like adventurous theater-going. This is fast-paced, inventive, and mystifying, and performed at all times with commitment by the cast.
Don't see it if you need to fully understand what you're watching. I didn't, but somehow still enjoyed it anyway. Also, there's a plot-related treat bonus.
See it if you like young writers' voices, spirited, imaginative, easily interactive, in-progress work, interesting staging & fun performances.
Don't see it if you dislike experimental theater, incohesive storytelling, somewhat mandated audience participation, pancakes, and dancing.
Also there is A LOT going on in this show - as if the play has just discove... Read more Read less
See it if Trying to be way too much. I was rooting for the actors, but the piece itself is convoluted, hard to follow and too long. I've seen worse.
Don't see it if You don't like shows in development (or seem to be). Need a clear story and characters. Or if you don't like pancakes. (that's what I said)
See it if you want an intimate experience that works hard to break the walls. Elements of comedy interspersed with a nebulous darkness
Don't see it if you want a polished theater standard or you want to be spoon fed the meaning of what you are seeing
Also Talented set of actors working with a creative script that needs a lit... Read more Read less
Cast & Creatives (15)
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