Strange Country
About the show
New Light Theater Project presents a new family drama set over a hot Fourth of July weekend in Bell County, Texas.
... Read moreTiffany has been there for brother Darryl every step of the way since his release from the psych ward. But when she brings her girlfriend Jamie home for the weekend, Tiffany finds herself in a fight she didn’t see coming. With the fireworks of family and pride and independence at stake, 'Strange Country' plunges into the thick of the Texas heat and how far we are willing to go to win. Anne Adams' play is the inaugural recipient of NLTP's 'New Light New Voices - 2016.'
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“Taut dialogue, more than a few one-line zingers, and unpredictable twists keep this from being a run-of-the-mill play about family dysfunction. What’s more, the chemistry between the three characters is pitch-perfect. Even more striking, Jay Stull’s direction takes full advantage of the actor’s physicality, and relies upon movement and body language to convey what words do not...It’s a terrific production. It’s a terrific production. Deeply moving, fast-paced, and evocative." Full Review
“Adams’ first play shows that she clearly knows her way around the territory’s dark alleys lined with addicts, enablers, broken families, and the mentally ill. Director Stull shapes an excellent cast into a realistic portrait quivering with Expressionistic intensity...One good definition of a successful drama is a story that acutely distills universal realities. ‘Strange Country’ gives us an uncommon triple portrait of common anguish, straight from the strange country of the human condition.” Full Review
"The play challenges every first impression that it gives us...The play doesn’t have a large amount of plot, preferring character development over plot development. The trio of actors take us through these transformations beautifully...The play itself creates slight issues when it comes to its characters’ motives...Where 'Strange Country' is most successful is in its refusal to offer black and white moral answers to any of the challenges that its characters face." Full Review
"Three wonderful actors directed by Jay Stull have an amazing chemistry and play off each other very well. Every pause is in its place and even when we are left alone, looking at the stage that everybody left, the anticipation is charged with possibilities…Much like in life, there is no black and white, there is a constant struggle for truth and happiness, and sometimes people disagree on what is right and whether their happiness hurts other people." Full Review
"Anne Adams’ emotionally raw, earthy and often very funny contemporary dysfunctional family drama. This entertaining piece of Americana has the humanity of Lanford Wilson, the quirkiness of Beth Henley and the unruliness of Sam Shepard…In 90 well–crafted minutes, Ms. Adams affectionately renders her trio of interconnected lost souls’ plights with biting humor, and intense revelations with a number of plot twists. Everything leads to a moving, realistic and satisfying conclusion." Full Review
"'Strange Country' does a good job of capturing the sadness that is brought on when a family member is suffering from a problem that is too difficult to fix. However, it also explores the complicated idea that what may be good for one person may not be good for another. Everyone has his own way of surviving, and the measures people use may not always be the right ones...It’s a philosophical conundrum." Full Review
"A tough but tender ninety-minute drama…Adams, a first-time playwright, has a tendency to lapse into therapeutic cliché and implausible avowals…Those late missteps detract from the otherwise sensitive treatment of the trio by both Adams and the cast of Jay Stull's slow-burn staging…Geraghty's Jamie in particular conveys a quietly shattering sense of being shell-shocked by her self-inflicted pain." Full Review
"Well written, well directed and well acted, but seriously who wants to sit through this?...Adams has created three complex characters but we don’t really like any of them...Stull’s direction keeps us interested and he makes us believe this tale of woe...Adams' writing is natural, though who really is your audience and who wants to see this? In all honesty, I don’t. I feel as if my soul is being stolen." Full Review
See it if You like intimate spaces with high production values.
Don't see it if You don't like being able to see the drama coming from miles away.
See it if You can deal with issues of addiction and dependency, You like intense drama & can relate to highs and lows - and handle painful exchanges
Don't see it if You are looking for something fun or happy
Also Sidney Williams was FANTASTIC
See it if Complicated characters... And strong performances.
Don't see it if Dark themes. Stories of addiction.
See it if Intense drama about the intersection of love, family, addiction, despair and hope engages you. Strong stuff well performed.
Don't see it if Emotional roller coasters are not your ride.
See it if you want to see some great acting and enjoy dysfunctional family dramas.
Don't see it if you're looking for something light. Get there early enough to take the elevator up and avoid a long 4 flight walk up to the theater
See it if you appreciate complicated, messy characters.
Don't see it if climbing four floors to a theater with bad air conditioning is a turn-off.
See it if You understand how addiction complicates family dynamics and every happy occasion turns into a confrontation; Then add in a third party..
Don't see it if Vulgar language and extreme consumption of alcohol upsets you. You cannot face watching the effects of addiction on a family
See it if You've ever had to deal with addiction on any level, in any way, yourself or with someone you love. If you haven't... OK, but, you're lying.
Don't see it if you don't like little dark stories that make you look at the scary parts inside.
See it if you're willing to trade bleakness and discomfort in order to see some phenomenal acting. Bleak as hell, not for everyone, but powerful.
Don't see it if you're easily frustrated by characters making poor life decisions, or you have a hard time with shows where you can't relate culturally.
See it if You like an exploration of dysfunctional characters. You enjoy finding new great theater
Don't see it if You expect a tidy resolution. You object to untidy characters and their language.
See it if You enjoy being immersed in a dark comedy with unbalanced characters full of surprises.
Don't see it if You're not willing to suspend disbelief and go with it. There are some imperfections but it's creative and funny.
See it if you enjoy-intense family dramas-intimate venues-one act plays that don't drag-great dramatic performances-plays with complex characters
Don't see it if you-want a lighthearted show-mind strong language-want to see a production with a large ensemble-don't like shows with one setting
See it if you enjoy drama about interpersonal relationships, or if you are close to someone with a substance abuse problem.
Don't see it if you dislike plays about damaged people with unhappy lives.
See it if You want to see serious play, this show was fabulous!
Don't see it if If you don't want to see a show about dysfunctional families
See it if u seek an uncomfortably humorous at times examination of (co-)dependency, grief, isolation, addiction & (illusory) solace. Shepard-esque.
Don't see it if you could not empathize with characters in the depths of despondency trying (unsuccessfully) to eke their way back through human connection.
See it if You liked "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf". Realistic set and lighting..It appeared like the end would disappoint, but boy was I wrong.
Don't see it if You don't want to see a really nice dark drama. If you want to miss a fine performance by Sid Williams, watch the summer Olympics on TV.
See it if you enjoy family dramas where all are miserable & unlikable & there's absolutely no redemption, and you don't mind uncomfy seats & bad a/c.
Don't see it if you want to be inspired or uplifted, you're seeking a message or you have a problem climbing stairs. The set was uncomfortably realistic.
See it if A fantastic performance all around! I've never seen such real people on stage before. Fantastic casting.
Don't see it if You don't enjoy family drama or are not a fan of a 4 flight walk up. But seriously, a fantastic piece of theatre. You need to see it.
See it if You enjoy small stories with lots of emotion and truly 3 dimensional characters.
Don't see it if Some of the Texan talk was a bit corny but the actors did a great job with accent and inhabiting their characters well.
See it if You enjoy watching characters explore deep relatable family issues. Clever dialogue and biting humor throughout.
Don't see it if Don't like your theatre to explore realistic or dark topics.
See it if want to experience a darkly humorous dysfunctional family drama that's a little different
Don't see it if tired of low-class dysfunctional families
See it if Good acting (a bit rough around the edges), raw/edgy plot, many twists & turns, holds your interest for 95 minutes
Don't see it if You're offended by alcoholism or sexual situations.
See it if you want to see some fine theater in an intimate setting. "Do our problems relate to others?}
Don't see it if It is a 4 story walk up but if you do not wait for the last minute, .. phone the company and you can get the elevator sent down on White St.
See it if you want to see a really well done show about the issues and problems people face in life.
Don't see it if you can't handle the intense reality of life
See it if The best off/off-off of the summer. Riveting. Realistic characters & behaviors . Roundabout needs to grab this one quick. Needs no changes
Don't see it if Issues of untreated addiction & mental weakness disturb you or hit too close to home. This is powerful/uncomfortable but also funny.
Cast & Creatives (11)
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