Witness's showcase is philosophical and clever
It relies heavily on dialogue; there is very little movement, and the two leads played by Adi Elbaz and Rebecca McGivney are on stage by themselves almost the entire time. The only exceptions are the sparse interjections by the reliably comedic sophomore, Mac Schwerin, who plays an aloof waiter.
At times, the script feels melodramatic but Elbaz and McGivney do their best to convey the motivations of the characters. The sketch, directed by senior Kelly Chuang, features virtually no blocking, costume changes and usable props. This creates a somewhat bland environment for the set.
However, the slow burn does give an unshakable tension which erupts at the very end with a surprising twist. Though unpolished and with a (perhaps intentional) monotonous air, "Nebraskan Fever" succeeds because of this tension and release.
"Sisyphus" breaks the two-actor mold and is essentially a ten-minute monologue from the titular role (senior Kyle Dugan). Sisyphus, according to ancient Greek mythology, is eternally condemned to push a rock up a mountain only to have it roll back down again.
The sketch portrays the myth by focusing on the day-to-day malaise that Sisyphus suffers. Much praise has to be given to Dugan who does a comedic portrayal of the hard-working but vapid man.
The sketch is simply a monologue that communicates the hardships and everyday actions of Sisyphus to the audience. The directors, junior Kempton Baldridge and sophomore Mike Alfieri, choose a strategically simple profile for the sketch and place tremendous faith in Dugan to deliver. Dugan does deliver and in doing so, gives the most sympathetic performance of the night.
"Bathroom Academia," written and directed by sophomore Jeremy Bremer, is the most complex of the sketches. It has eight different characters and many different plot layers with only one thing in common: the bathroom.
In one setting, freshman Keelin Martinek and sophomore Laren Silvey play two inanimate objects, eyeliner and mascara. In another, Levitz and junior Kathleen Hancock play a dysfunctional young couple dwelling upon the philosophical abstractions of life. Finally, sophomores Laren Silvey and Katie Barros play girls dreaming of the aforementioned scenarios. Although it lives up to its name, "Bathroom Academia" does feel a bit too clever for its own good.
At times, the script feels melodramatic but Elbaz and McGivney do their best to convey the motivations of the characters. The sketch, directed by senior Kelly Chuang, features virtually no blocking, costume changes and usable props. This creates a somewhat bland environment for the set.
However, the slow burn does give an unshakable tension which erupts at the very end with a surprising twist. Though unpolished and with a (perhaps intentional) monotonous air, "Nebraskan Fever" succeeds because of this tension and release.
"Sisyphus" breaks the two-actor mold and is essentially a ten-minute monologue from the titular role (senior Kyle Dugan). Sisyphus, according to ancient Greek mythology, is eternally condemned to push a rock up a mountain only to have it roll back down again.
The sketch portrays the myth by focusing on the day-to-day malaise that Sisyphus suffers. Much praise has to be given to Dugan who does a comedic portrayal of the hard-working but vapid man.
The sketch is simply a monologue that communicates the hardships and everyday actions of Sisyphus to the audience. The directors, junior Kempton Baldridge and sophomore Mike Alfieri, choose a strategically simple profile for the sketch and place tremendous faith in Dugan to deliver. Dugan does deliver and in doing so, gives the most sympathetic performance of the night.
"Bathroom Academia," written and directed by sophomore Jeremy Bremer, is the most complex of the sketches. It has eight different characters and many different plot layers with only one thing in common: the bathroom.
In one setting, freshman Keelin Martinek and sophomore Laren Silvey play two inanimate objects, eyeliner and mascara. In another, Levitz and junior Kathleen Hancock play a dysfunctional young couple dwelling upon the philosophical abstractions of life. Finally, sophomores Laren Silvey and Katie Barros play girls dreaming of the aforementioned scenarios. Although it lives up to its name, "Bathroom Academia" does feel a bit too clever for its own good.
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