Pen

What a pleasant surprise this show was. I mean, I was really intending to go in there and prepare myself for a bit of boredom and brace myself for a fight with sleepiness, especially since we had just seen a very funny, uplifting show just a few hours earlier (see Based on a Totally True Story). But in reality, I came out really enjoying this show. It was really quite enjoyable.

Basically it's this overbearing, dominant (psychotic...) mother who has MS and is wheelchair ridden. She has basically become dependent on her son, who is looking to go to college. His mother wants him to stay nearby in Long Island and basically has him on a leash. His father, on the other hand (who divorced his mother), wants him to go to USC. Much ensues, and then the Pen plays this significant role, and suddenly there's this big thing and all these new things happen and viewpoints are exchanged, etc. That was my vague non-spoiler ending.

Anyhow, it was a pretty good show. Maybe because I'm so close to the college application process it was just fun to see it. Or maybe not. It was an interesting take on these family relationships, highlighting three very different relationships and how they changed throughout the turn of events - mother/son, mother/father, father/son. I thought it made you think a bit, and presented some interesting situations that forced you to think about the people around you.

The premise, while obviously unreal, was a little bit weird, with this whole pen thing. I mean, I understand the fictionality of it all, but it just seemed kind of random and unexplained. But I guess I forgive that. He needed an excuse to execute his concept somehow. I don't want to ruin the show for anyone, so I'll just leave it at that.

I do, however, think that the relationships were still a little unbelievable, especially on the mother's end. There were so many times where it was like, in this relationship, and in this situation, the mother can't ACTUALLY be this selfish and not recognize what this kid is doing for her. And I can't imagine any mother would actually be okay doing what she did to him. So I do think it was a bit over the top.

I thought the cast in general was strong, and the plot and progression was loose enough to allow for some interpretation in what was happening and what would happen with each set of relationships. Usually I like a bit more closure in plays, but I really think the lack of it worked in this one.

I wouldn't say this was the best theater of the season, but it was definitely a commendable show, raising some interesting questions and worth watching.