The Bridge Production Group’s mission statement states that they are “a non-profit theatre
company committed to dismantling and rebuilding an audience’s expectations of theatrical
storytelling.” The group’s ambitious yet approachable take on modern theatre is refreshing and poignant, presenting a point of view that is intelligent and unique.
The Bridge Production Group’s residency at the Brooklyn Navy Yard allows the audience to quite literally take a breath of fresh air in a delightful outdoor venue at Building 92, transporting its viewers out of the city and into a fictional land where multiple short plays can be recreated outdoors. The residency aims to create an open and collaborative environment to showcase new work in a safe space, and both the venue and the company are extremely mindful of the restrictions of COVID-19, requiring patrons to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to attend the outdoor arena.
In “I AM YOUR MASSEUSE (Five Short Digressions)“, Pulitzer Prize and Academy Award
winning playwright John Patrick Shanley once again employs the sparkling wit and raw
emotional intelligence that’s contributed to his global renown. Keeping in mind the toll the last year and a half has taken on our collective attention span, five short digressions are quite literally what they describe, and each vignette is as entertaining as they are whip smart and engaging. The four actors are a talented, commanding presence in this unique and intimate setting, and transition from act to act as fluidly as silk.
Christina Toth, (Orange is the New Black, Artist in Residence for Bridge Production Group),
demonstrated impressive range as she transitioned from porn-crazed housewife to shy solo
renter to a spiritually motivated masseuse. Her physicality and vocal choices shifted with each role in a way that clearly delineated boundaries from one scene to the next, making you forget how fully she embodied the previous character.
The natural comedic timing of Crawford Collins (The Gilded Age, The Path), paired with her
mastery of Shanley’s script, resulted in side splitting laughter of which we could all use a little more of these days.
“I AM YOUR MASSEUSE” is only running one more performance on August 22nd, so get your
tickets now at https://bridgeresidency.ticketleap.com/shanley/.
