Berkshire on Stage

by Dan Mayer

In her director’s note, Albany’s own Benita Zahn describes Jen Silverman’s The Roommate as “a play about trust, change and crafting a life we want.” It’s also a play about a modern day Odd Couple with “women of a certain age,” but Albany Civic Theater‘s production has something to offer for almost everyone. It’s a story about new beginnings, the labels we use to define ourselves, and the urge so many of us have felt to re-define ourselves.

The characters of Sharon (Kathleen Carey) and Robyn (Tanya Gorlow) make for an unexpected dynamic. Most stories about two vastly different people sharing a living space would draw humor from the contrasts, but Sharon subverts expectations by trying so quickly to become more like Robyn, even as Robyn tries to be less like herself. Most of the comedy comes from how far off the deep end Sharon seems to go in the span of only a month. The ending is a bit ambiguous, leaving the audience to wonder where Sharon’s new definition of herself will take her next.

The onstage chemistry between Carey and Gorlow is the engine driving this show, and it goes very far in a brisk 90 minutes. The two start out realistically awkward in their first meeting, but quickly warm up and settle into an effective comedic dynamic. Their tone and timing are excellent, but they also manage the dramatic moments well. Gorlow tugs at the heartstrings with slight cracks in her voice as she holds back tears. In the few emotional moments by herself, Carey owns the stage with a deeply expressive and heartbreaking performance. It’s such a delight to see two actors handle both comedy and drama so well together. The highs and lows of this show are breathtaking.

The set (Peter Kantor) is artful and effective, depicting the main kitchen and living area. There are plenty of nice details like the kitchen cabinets and counter tops, an actual refrigerator, and the art on the wall. Before the show started, an audience member quipped that the set looked nicer than some apartments they’d lived in. I can say the same.

While the cast may be women of a certain age, the themes of self-discovery and the need to redefine oneself will feel relatable to most audiences. The Roommate is a really fun show, and this excellent production is not one to be missed.

Albany Civic Theater presents The Roommate by Jen Silverman, directed by Benita Zahn, runs from Feb 13^th to March 1st, at Albany Civic Theater, 235 Second Avenue in Albany, NY. Cast: Kathleen Carey as Sharon, and Tanya Gorlow as Robyn.

Assistant Director: Don Paul Shannon. Stage Manager: Jackie Amilivia. Producer: Barbara Davis. Assistant Producer: Kevin McNamara. Set Design: Peter Kantor. Set Construction/Decoration: Peter Kantor, Kat Fronheiser, Kevin McNamara, Nate Beynon, K. Lindsay Shoen, Michael McDermott, Jennie Sinnott. Lighting Design: Oona Newman. Props Mistress: Dawn Harris. Sound Design & Board Operator: Baruch Rainey. Stage Crew: Beth Swallow, Kim Collins, Dawn Harris, Brian McBride Land. Sound Consultant: Barry Streifert. Photography: Andrew Elder. Playbill Cover Art: Peter Kantor. Telephone voice of Sharon’s son: Hasson Harris.

Performance dates are Friday – Sunday, Feb. 13-15, 20-22, and Feb. 27-Mar. 1. Friday and Saturday curtains are at 7:30 pm, and Sundays are matinees only at 3 pm. Tickets are $20, or $10 for students. Runs approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes without intermission. Tickets are available online. Visit https://www.albanycivictheater.org/ for more information.