by Macey Levin
Bridge Street Theatre in Catskill, New York, has produced a play that is complicated, controversial and intriguing. The American premiere of “Red Like Fruit” by Hannah Moscovitch is off-beat in its staging by Margo Whitcomb, and its subject matter… domestic violence, sexual abuse and trauma.
The virtually bare playing space has an upstage platform, a chair and a music stand that serves as a lectern. The emphasis is on the actors and the story line. Lauren (Elizabeth Narciso) carries the chair onstage and introduces Luke, (Johnny Travers) an actor who is going to tell the audience her story as he reads from a manuscript. He starts by saying that she is a journalist writing an article about Andrew who has beaten his girl friend Britney and who has allegedly raped her. As Luke reads how this transpired it reminds Lauren of her own difficult relationships with men.
As a teenager she and her family were on a trip through an historic crypt when she fell behind her parents. When she slipped the tour guide prevented her from falling by grabbing her between her legs. She has lunch with a male colleague who talks the entire lunch delivering his opinion about the “me, too” movement which infuriates her. As a young woman she goes to Delaware to visit an older cousin, Dean. While asleep in the middle of the night she is awakened by Dean who is on top of her. She admits to college affairs and other sexual experiences some of which are confusing both sexually and emotionally.
As absorbing and fervently fraught is her story, the staging is fascinating. Lauren roams the stage while Luke is reading. Rarely does she speak. There are some minor interchanges between them until the latter part of the play. Occasionally, they make references to the audience as if we’ve been invited to be there. It is obvious that she is listening intently while he reads from the manuscript. A tacit relationship between them develops as Luke becomes impassioned while relating her story. There are moments when he pauses as he wipes his eyes. At first, their conversations are superficial, but they become more personal as the story grows. Lauren reveals the reasons to have him read her story and her reactions to Luke’s telling of her experiences. Throughout the eighty-five minutes of the play, the audience was absolutely still, rapt in the emotions of the narrative.
The production values are, like the set, simple. There are subtle light changes complementing the nature of the story. There are atmospheric sounds, i.e. water dripping in the crypt, voices in a restaurant, some music, that add to the ambiance of the moment. The emphasis is on the actors and the tale.
This is the third time Bridge Street, playwright Moscovitch and director Whitcomb have worked together. Their first experience was “Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Class” which went to off-Broadway and starred Hugh Jackman. This was followed by the provocative “East of Berlin.” This relationship has brought powerful theatrical experiences to our part of the world.
Primarily because of the simplicity of the production “Red Like Fruit” is gripping.
Red Like Fruit by Hannah Moscovitch; Director: Margo Whitcomb; Cast: Elizabeth Narciso (Lauren) Johnny Travers (Luke); Sets, lights and sound design: Carmen Borgia; Costume design: Michelle Rogers; Stage manager: Hannarose Manning; Running time: 85 minutes, no intermission; October 2 – 12, 2025; For tickets: BridgeStreetTheatre.org