An Ambitious Cast, But Incomplete Script
This weekend’s performances Friday to Sunday are canceled; Three performances will be added next weekend. Wed, Feb 22 at 7:30, Thurs, Feb 23 at 7:30 and Sun Feb 26 at 3 pm.
In this production of An Incomplete List of All The Things I’m Going to Miss When the World Is No Longer:, Dacha Theatre brings to life the story of the end of the world through the eyes of lovers and friends. To be seen at Theatre Off Jackson, the play is presented in an intimate stage where the audience is not only a viewer, but a participant along for the ride.
Written by Dante Green, this play follows the last day of the lives of a diverse circle, unfolding both the question of how to grieve the end of the world and one another. With one last hoorah, the characters throw one final party before the world ends, wanting a moment to remember in a reality where all will be forgotten.
Borderline absurd but with a lot of heart, the premise is enough to keep the audience intrigued.
However, as An Incomplete List unfolds, it quickly reveals itself to be much more complex than just a simple party; in fact, it bites off more than it can chew. In a tangle of memories and chaos, the audience is thrown into the universe with little context to previous events. There are threads that weave in and out sparsely that deserve more time to be sat with but are rushed past in a way that leaves the audience unsatisfied.
Despite the shortcomings to the script, the cast comes together beautifully to work with the material they are given. Tessa Jo shines as Micah, serving as the beam of light starkly contrasted to their impending doom. Mariesa Genzale and Kevin Tanner’s impassioned singing abilities boom across the stage, leaving a powerful impression with the audience.
In the small theater, where the stage descends below, the cast interacts with the audience frequently, producing the collective feeling of community between the cast and audience. Sitting in the back, there are little to no issues of hearing properly, though at times the instrumentals battle for center stage with singers, and Ariel Rose’s voice-changing microphone produces a tinny effect to her voice that is at times hard to understand when singing.
With a simple stage of only two chairs and a table on the side for set props, the characters moved around the stage effortlessly. The blankness of the stage supports the persistent callback to memories, adding to the feeling of imaginativeness that is brought forth when we look back on the past.
All in all, the production of the play went extremely smoothly. With no major set or costume changes, the action of the play flows naturally. The lighting is tasteful, using colors and fog in certain scenes to add an hallucinatory effect. The music is extremely versatile; the synths lively one moment, and mournful in another.
With a “Pay What You Can” policy for tickets, I maintain that this play is enjoyable and urge those interested to see it. It is perfect for teenagers and adults alike, with characters to relate to for everybody. However, do not come only to witness the last rager of the world, but rather for the production in all its glory.
But for the viewer’s warning, I must mention that the play includes drug experimentation, sparingly lewd language, sudden flashing lights, and the occasional sudden noise, like a popping balloon.
An Incomplete List of All the Things I Am Going to Miss When the World Is No Longer: by Dante Green. Dante Theatre, Theatre Off Jackson, 409 7th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104. Showing through February 11. Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-incomplete-list-tickets-487161060847 Info: https://www.dachatheatre.com/incompletelist.html. No Street Parking. Take the Light rail to Int’l District/Chinatown Station.