by James Wilkinson
‘Last Catastrophist’– Written by David Valdes. Directed by Sarah Gazdowicz. Scenic Design Andrew Kolifrath. Lighting Design: Read Davidson. Costume Design: Erica Desautels. Sound Design: Vinny Laino. Prop Design: Lauren Corcuera. Fight Choreographer: Marge Dunn. Presented by Fresh Ink Theatre at the Plaza Black Box Theatre at the Boston Center for the Arts January 24-February 8, 2020.
Fresh Ink Theatre’s Last Catastrophist is a play with two eyes going in two different directions. On one side, it’s a sort of odd couple buddy comedy. Two protagonists, ones with polar opposite personalities, are forced together on a journey which is designed to bring them closer together as they slowly learn to trust each other. On the other side of the equation, Last Catastrophist is a paranoia-soaked conspiracy eco-thriller, one that takes place in a future perhaps only a few years away from where we are now. A grim fate awaits humankind somewhere down the road and the audience is left to decide if it’s one they want to try and steer away from. I think that the play is ridiculous, but before you tune out, I need to stress that I don’t mean that as a negative. Conspiracy stories by their very nature are ridiculous because the characters in them are extrapolating their circumstances in all kinds of improbable ways. Everything seems crazy to us until the characters’ worst fears are proven to be true. The world is out to get them after all. I bring this up because yes, Last Catastrophist is ridiculous, but it uses its ridiculousness in a knowing way. It leans into it to find its own unique sensibility and unpack the comic possibilities. That’s what’s kind of exciting about it. For the bulk of its run time (more on that in a bit), the theatrical stars of direction, performance, design and writing are aligning in a wonderful kind of way and the production hits on something fresh.
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