 "Photo: Photo courtesy of UNC Charlotte Theatre")
After being at UNC Charlotte long enough to experience a few Robinson Hall theatre productions, I can confidently say that “[Sic]” has been the most enjoyable one yet.
However, this praise does come with an admission that I had a role in editing some film clips being used in the play. While that inclusion makes my opinion a tad bias, no amount of bias could dismiss the quality of work in this show. From the people immediately on stage, to the many out of sight, their combined talents pull off a pleasing presentation.
“[Sic]” itself is a bit out of the ordinary. Authored by Melissa James Gibson with almost zero punctuation, it travels more along the lines of a character or life study instead of a complete story.
Set in a pre-war New York City apartment building, we view the stage like a glimpse into the lives of its tenants. Their fictional living spaces are very minimal and abstract; a handful of doors and slightly more windows realistically obscure the audiences view of the people ìinsideî them.
Within the playbill for [sic], director Laura Standley transcribed a few director notes. In them she talks about the most frequent characters: ì...the three maneuver through the petty trivia of their daily lives, living in a land of obstructions...î. Saying anymore would be too revealing, but introducing the three is absolutely necessary.
Babette played by Ellerie Daube is a struggling writer who currently has to rely on others for money. Ms. Daube looks and sounds very comfortable when performing, and in asking her if she ever lets nerves affect her before or during stage time she said, ìNo, I’m usually way too involved to worryî. Connor Culpepper and Nicholas Kern had their work cut out for them as Theo and Frank.
Speaking with Mr. Culpepper about what he found the most challenging in playing Theo was ìstaying focused throughout to not get too carried away [during a scene]î.
Between the ambitious energy of Frank’s auctioneer dream job and Theo’s unshakable overconfidence, these two guys have to reach wide on the actor’s skill spectrum. Thankfully, there is a good mixture of intensity and laughter to balance between them.
This production of [sic] creates a stage that builds on your imagination. It keeps itself simple, and even when elements like film are introduced, it is for a particular purpose besides just bloating run time.
On top of that, you have well-trained actors pulling you into the movements of other people’s lives, and a production team that created everything for those actors to work with.
Hopefully, those who are interested in seeing the play in its closing days will have a chance. Pick up your tickets now while you still can.
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