Infinitely Yours Review: A Violent Romance
Although a program cannot contain spoilers, it should still give us an idea about the play’s content. In the case of “Infinitely Yours,” written by Darci Faye, its name and synopsis contain too much ambiguity. Portraying a woman fighting her feelings for a man she loved in high school, it could be a happy tale of reunion, or a sad story about love that was never meant to be. Such are the audience’s expectations, based on the play’s name and brief description. While either version would be equally compelling, “Infinitely Yours” takes an unexpected twist in a grimmer direction. It focuses on domestic violence and manipulative, unhealthy love. On the one hand, this topic makes for a good drama that cannot leave the audience indifferent. On the other hand, it may upset those who expected a romantic love story and came unprepared for violence.
With that said, slightly misleading synopsis ends up being the play’s only flaw. “Infinitely Yours” works well as a story. Each scene organically leads into another, and the pacing is just perfect. Hence, the show never fails to keep the audience’s attention, making us wonder what happens next.
Furthermore, when one is abused and scared, getting away from the abuser often proves difficult. Hence, the spot-on title turns macabre instead of being sweet, which adds more depth to the story.
The play opens up with Emily (Deb Radloff) returning to her hometown to take care of her mother. Right off the bat, she runs into Jason (Andrew Hutcheson), her high school sweetheart, which reminds her why she left her small town in the first place.
Catching up with Jason over a cup of coffee, Emily finds out that he bought his parents’ house for $5,000. While she moved to New York to have a totally different life, Jason stayed in the same town and in the same house, which blows her mind. Thus introducing the theme of change, the play will later raise questions about how much we actually change. Even though Emily is uncomfortable with Jason and it bothers her when he calls her “Em-Em,” like in the good old times, she is still attracted to him.
Moreover, Jason is attracted to her as well. His eyes look naughtily at Emily, and she says, “You’re creeping me out when you’re staring at me like that,” to which Jason responds, “You just have the same sparkling eyes that I’ve always loved.” The way these two look at each other makes us think this will be romance, and we can’t help but wonder why Emily is so uneasy in Jason’s company.
However, when we meet Jason’s wife, Tasha (Maria Tholl), we slowly begin understanding why. Tasha is a nervous young woman, awkward around people. Later on, when we see her undress and change clothes, we notice a fist-size bruise on her left shoulder; then a bandage around her ankle, and finally, a sling on her left arm. Revealing these signs one by one allows Ms. Faye to introduce the theme of domestic violence discreetly and unobtrusively, which has a powerful effect on the audience.
Another theme the play explores is unfaithfulness, first introduced by “You Know I’m No Good” by Amy Winehouse. Since Emily has repeatedly cheated on her fiancé, Derek (Kevin Kiler), it makes sense for him to leave everything in New York and rush to Maine to be with her as soon as she does not return his calls late in the evening. Naturally, his arrival causes more drama, keeping the audience guessing how this whole mess resolves.
On an even deeper level, “Infinitely Yours” explores relationships in comparison. While Jason excites Emily, as she tells Tasha, he “can be intense sometimes” (read: violent). Derek, on the contrary, is stable and respectful, but he is a workaholic and does not spend enough time with his fiancée. This struggle to find a perfect, or, at least, most suitable relationship is something anyone can relate to, and it strikes a note in the audience’s hearts.
Due to the nature of their drama, the actors have to portray a wide range of emotions, from misery and discomfort to happiness and hope. More specifically, the two most memorable moments are when Tasha is beaming at the thought of being able to escape from Jason, and Emily crying at the realization that she cannot.
In contrast to all these complicated emotions, the play’s setting remains simple and barely noticeable. The couch turns into a bed to take us from one house to another, and round stools signify, at different times, a coffee shop and a restaurant. Inconspicuous as it is, the change of scenes never takes the audience’s attention away from the action.
To sum it all up, the creative team and the cast of “Infinitely Yours” does a great job putting together a well-thought-out and memorable show. It speaks to our compassion and raises important issues about love and relationships, especially dysfunctional ones. At the same time, it does not overdramatize abuse, which often happens in similar stories. A play like this could only benefit from a preview that would mention domestic violence, both to attract the right audience and to do the show more justice.
http://reviewfix.com/2016/07/infinitely-yours-review-a-violent-romance/
Review: An Hour Long Portrayal of Abuse
Infinitely Yours, written by Darci Faye, is an hour long thriller that will leave you on a cliff. Darci Faye takes the audience through the slippery slope of an abusive relationship and ultimately makes you feel like that it could happen to you. It did the Hunker Down Initiative (the benefiting organization) proud. It opened people’s eyes to how easy it is to judge women in abusive relationships, but ultimately it can happen to anyone.
Infinitely Yours opens with all four characters on stage on stools set up for them. Each actor stays on stage the entire show whether they are in the scene or not, which I will get to. Emily, played by Deb Radloff, is getting a coffee in a Starbucks when she runs into an old friend from High School, Jason. Jason, played by Andrew Hutcheson, is super ecstatic to see her and Emily is hesitant immediately. She reluctantly agrees to sit with him and have coffee, he even persuades her to meet up for drinks later as well. There is an unsettling feeling for the audience, but we did not quit know why yet. After they meet for drinks, Emily is sloppy drunk and they hook up. In the next scene, Emily’s fiancé shows up. Derek, played by Kevin Kiler, is a well-kept man that is clearly looking to settle down with a nice woman that can hold a conversation. Emily and Derek go out to dinner and run into Jason and his wife! Tasha, played by Maria Tholl, is a timid shy woman that lacks any confidence to be pretty. Faced with this problem of Emily and Jason having hooked up, the uneasiness ensues into the next scene with Jason and his wife. Tasha is petrified of Jason and we soon find out why. Jason belittles her to the point of irreversible damage and physical attacks whenever he feels it is needed in order to discipline her. Without giving away the ending, it isn’t good and Emily fell right back into old habits.
All of the actors did a great job of working together and listening to one another. Each character was very different and had scenes written where their personalities could shine through. It wasn’t just about this abusive relationship; it was about how all of these characters connected to the abuse differently. One major thing that needed to change was all of the actors being on the stage throughout the show. Some of the scenes were so intense you ended up watching the actors that weren’t in the scenes expressions! Another aspect of this was that some scenes required the action of getting a coffee or a beer and instead of going off stage to retrieve these props they were either on the floor or in bags that the actors had to open. It took away from the reality of the show. With that said, the space was very hindering itself. There is only a simple curtain propped up for a backstage; however, it would have kept the audience in the moment if the actors had used the backstage. Another directorial and writer choice was to have a very long make-out scene between Emily and Jason. It was extremely uncomfortable for the audience with the close proximity and how long it was! When they started to get intimate that would be another moment where a backstage could have been used to imply sex. The audience doesn’t need to see it. It actually dumbs down the content of the show when a scene is so “handsy”.
The lights were simple. Again the space seemed like it hindered the show, but it would have been great to have used the lighting to feel the intensity. When Jason got scary it was a good opportunity perhaps to narrow the wash of the lights or have more of a spot light on the actors to make it seem like there is nowhere for this poor girl to run. It would have helped the audience feel even deeper for the character. And then when Jason was out in public acting completely normal the lighting could act as an opposite to fit his bi-polar abusive personality. He pretends in the light and his true colors come out in the dark, like a monster, but he is just a guy that anyone from the audience could know.
The music transitions were used to change scenes, since again, all off the actors were on stage. The music seemed to match the tone, but scene changes with loud music take the audience out of the show. The lighting and a backstage would have fixed the transitions that made the audience look at their watch or other audience members while waiting.
Overall, Infinitely Yours, was a great drama that made the reality of abuse be known. It would do well at New York Theater Workshop or Playwrights Horizons. It was hindered by the space and budget. With more financial love and cohesive directing it is a great show that I recommended for a quick reminder of how lucky you are in your relationship. Maybe see it with a friend and not a partner. Hats off to the actors who stayed true to their characters and made it real.
http://www.theaterinthenow.com/2016/07/review-hour-long-portrayal-of-abuse.html
Infinitely Yours opens with all four characters on stage on stools set up for them. Each actor stays on stage the entire show whether they are in the scene or not, which I will get to. Emily, played by Deb Radloff, is getting a coffee in a Starbucks when she runs into an old friend from High School, Jason. Jason, played by Andrew Hutcheson, is super ecstatic to see her and Emily is hesitant immediately. She reluctantly agrees to sit with him and have coffee, he even persuades her to meet up for drinks later as well. There is an unsettling feeling for the audience, but we did not quit know why yet. After they meet for drinks, Emily is sloppy drunk and they hook up. In the next scene, Emily’s fiancé shows up. Derek, played by Kevin Kiler, is a well-kept man that is clearly looking to settle down with a nice woman that can hold a conversation. Emily and Derek go out to dinner and run into Jason and his wife! Tasha, played by Maria Tholl, is a timid shy woman that lacks any confidence to be pretty. Faced with this problem of Emily and Jason having hooked up, the uneasiness ensues into the next scene with Jason and his wife. Tasha is petrified of Jason and we soon find out why. Jason belittles her to the point of irreversible damage and physical attacks whenever he feels it is needed in order to discipline her. Without giving away the ending, it isn’t good and Emily fell right back into old habits.
All of the actors did a great job of working together and listening to one another. Each character was very different and had scenes written where their personalities could shine through. It wasn’t just about this abusive relationship; it was about how all of these characters connected to the abuse differently. One major thing that needed to change was all of the actors being on the stage throughout the show. Some of the scenes were so intense you ended up watching the actors that weren’t in the scenes expressions! Another aspect of this was that some scenes required the action of getting a coffee or a beer and instead of going off stage to retrieve these props they were either on the floor or in bags that the actors had to open. It took away from the reality of the show. With that said, the space was very hindering itself. There is only a simple curtain propped up for a backstage; however, it would have kept the audience in the moment if the actors had used the backstage. Another directorial and writer choice was to have a very long make-out scene between Emily and Jason. It was extremely uncomfortable for the audience with the close proximity and how long it was! When they started to get intimate that would be another moment where a backstage could have been used to imply sex. The audience doesn’t need to see it. It actually dumbs down the content of the show when a scene is so “handsy”.
The lights were simple. Again the space seemed like it hindered the show, but it would have been great to have used the lighting to feel the intensity. When Jason got scary it was a good opportunity perhaps to narrow the wash of the lights or have more of a spot light on the actors to make it seem like there is nowhere for this poor girl to run. It would have helped the audience feel even deeper for the character. And then when Jason was out in public acting completely normal the lighting could act as an opposite to fit his bi-polar abusive personality. He pretends in the light and his true colors come out in the dark, like a monster, but he is just a guy that anyone from the audience could know.
The music transitions were used to change scenes, since again, all off the actors were on stage. The music seemed to match the tone, but scene changes with loud music take the audience out of the show. The lighting and a backstage would have fixed the transitions that made the audience look at their watch or other audience members while waiting.
Overall, Infinitely Yours, was a great drama that made the reality of abuse be known. It would do well at New York Theater Workshop or Playwrights Horizons. It was hindered by the space and budget. With more financial love and cohesive directing it is a great show that I recommended for a quick reminder of how lucky you are in your relationship. Maybe see it with a friend and not a partner. Hats off to the actors who stayed true to their characters and made it real.
http://www.theaterinthenow.com/2016/07/review-hour-long-portrayal-of-abuse.html