Theatrius
  • Now Playing
  • All Reviews
  • Writers
  • Reflections
  • Millennial Notes
  • Join Us
  • About Us
  • Search Icon

Theatrius

Theater Reviews—San Francisco and Beyond

“Seen/By Everyone” Lyrically Dissects Online Grief, at Yugen, S.F.

“Seen/By Everyone” Lyrically Dissects Online Grief, at Yugen, S.F.

October 16, 2018 Evelyn Arevalo

Millennial Notes    

Nick Ishimaru Directs a Poem to Digital Death

by Evelyn Arevalo

If we die tomorrow, how do we consolidate our images: the one our friends and family will have? Who will hear the messages on our Instagram, on Facebook? Director Nick Ishimaru beautifully dissects death in the digital age, providing insights into public expressions grief.

In Theatre of Yugen’s “Seen/By Everyone,” we are immersed in a dimly lit bar that represents the digital world. Seven figures stand still, wearing sparkly silver masks. Recently deceased Maggie (incredible Adrian Deane) watches sharply as these mysterious figures begin to move in a slow ballet.

Maggie’s white dress is blinding in the dark room, white scarf on her neck dangling like a noose. The digital avatars of her living friends and family distress Maggie. Trapped in a digital dimension, Maggie is reduced to fragmented memories of her online persona, repeating phrases of past memories.

J.J. Van Name, Paul Rodrigues, Enormvs Munoz, Stephanie Whigham. Photos: Shannon Davis

We are stuck in her surreal trance. We shuttle back and forth between Maggie’s vivacious aunt Helen (spot on J.J. Van Name), her childhood friend Roxy (soulful Stephanie Whigham), and neurotic, hypochondriac Art (impressive Alan Coyne). Maggie’s friends and family create new “content” to remember her.

Sound Designer Ella Cooley and Lighting  Designer Brittany Mellerson brilliantly blend a mysterious ambiance with touching audio voicemails. Projections created by Eteyna Trinidad evoke a captivating and bitter nostalgia. When Maggie’s selfie-addicted friend Elizabeth (multifaceted Annika Bergman) comes in like a storm, grinning like the Cheshire Cat, I have to laugh. Maggie’s friends are using Facebook to grieve in a new way.

Annika Bergman, Enormvs Munoz, and Adrian Deane

Stoic bartender (serious Enormvs Munoz) protects Maggie’s memories, transporting us to childhood with the swish of a sparkly fan. We don’t just hear about Maggie, we are invited into her intimate memories.

Maggie remains young and beautiful, while her friends age, get pregnant, and die. Amusingly, Maggie’s hopeless romantic gay brother John (hilarious Paul Rodrigues) finds his Israeli prince. Yet, one motto returns: “The only way to cope with grief, is by remembering, not forgetting.”

From a play about death, we keep learning about life. Social media now influences how we deal with the loss of dear friends. When so much of our interactions, pictures, and moments remain crystallized online, how do we cope with messages from loved ones?

Stephanie Whigham, Annika Bergman, J.J. Van Name, Alan Coyne, and Paul Rodrigues

“Seen/By Everyone” by Theatre of Yugen, written by Five on a Match, directed by Nick Ishimaru, at NOHspace, 2840 Mariposa Street, San Francisco 94110, through Sunday, October 21, 2018. Info: theatreofyugen.org

Cast: Annika Bergman, Alan Coyle, Adrian Deane, Enormvs Munoz, Paul Rodrigues, J.J. Van Name, and Stephanie Whigham.

Banner photo: Annika Bergman and Adrian Deane


Millennial Notes, Plays
death, facebook, grief, Instagram, memories, mourning, online

Post navigation

NEXT
“Oslo” Pinpoints Palestine/Israel Accord, at MTC, Mill Valley
PREVIOUS
“The Obligation” Delivers Life Lessons, at Potrero Stage, S.F.
Comments are closed.

Menu

  • Now Playing
  • All Reviews
  • Writers
  • Reflections
  • Millennial Notes
  • Join Us
  • About Us

BLM

Black Lives Matter

Subscribe for upcoming reviews!
Loading

Current Shows

  • “Slow Food”: Three Superb Actors Serve Up Quick Laughs—at Altarena
  • “The Indigo Room” Magically Translates Indigenous Stories—at La MaMa, N.Y.
  • “The Never Too Late Show”: Tales of Hilarious Homeboy in Hollywood—at The Marsh
  • “Poetic Justice” Exalts Passionate Modern Poets—at The Marsh
  • “As You Like It”: Weaves Past & Future in Magical Forest—at SF Playhouse
  • “Beetlejuice, The Musical” Parties Hard and Fast—at BroadwaySF
  • “Hailie!” Celebrates the Queen of Gospel’s Triumphs—at Lorraine Hansberry
  • “Little Shop of Horrors”: Killer Plant Blooms in Chinatown—at TheatreWorks
  • “Ham for the Holidays” Lightens the Heart—at Main Stage West 
  • “Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski” Is Unforgettable—at Berkeley Rep
  • “A Year with Frog and Toad”: Episodes of Woodland Friendship—at BACT
  • “Shoshana in December”: A Holiday Musical for Jews & Polyamors—at Custom Made
  • “Wuthering Heights” Takes Us from Darkness to Light—at Berkeley Rep
  • “Natasha, Pierre & Great Comet of 1812”: A Musical Triumph—at Shotgun
  • “Two Trains Running” Celebrates Civil Rights Era Black Bravery—at MTC

About us:

If you want to see the best plays & performances around the San Francisco Bay or beyond, read our reviews. We promise to give you a true report on the best shows.
Bay Area Critics Circle

Barry David Horwitz, Editor of Theatrius, is a Voting Member of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics' Circle, SFBATCC. Follow us on: facebook.com

© 2023   All Rights Reserved.