One Audience Member's Reaction to FRAGILE

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"Usually I don’t like plays, especially so here in Pittsburgh. Sitting so close to the actors in the theatre, I cannot suspend my belief when watching them. They are just people mouthing words. I don’t see the characters.

I was pleasantly surprised tonight, sitting so close. I found it to be much more rewarding to see the dancers, hear them breathe etc.

Beth’s piece was a balanced counterpoint to the first two performances. I found it interesting how the costumes built a physical place. I would be interested to know at what stage in the choreographic design the costumes came along. The piece would not have been the same without them. And so the music and the sonic landscape it created. I am surprised, I have to say, to read the prose poem that was the seed for the piece. Not at all what I expected it to be.

I wish in Donald Byrd’s piece there would have been more loss, more despair. Which I know is a funny thing to say. Loss is a singularly personal experience and one that never truly leaves you. I wanted to feel that more in that performance. Not a question of acting, maybe just of feeling.

'Duet’ was also, to me, about loss due to miscommunication and the sadness that results because of that.

It was an impressive first time to see the dance alloy and its dancers. I hope to continue."

-T.S.