Plague Play

08/28/2023

Plague Play by Erin Proctor

"Does violence simply beget more violence? Aaron discovers his body is simply a vessel to destroy a civilization. Supernatural disasters ravage his oppressors, as well as his own body, mind, and soul. His little brother Moses is able to see what is to come...and it's not very pretty." - Proctor


All photos taken by Juan Gamero


"The New York-based playwright uses plenty of contemporary language (including f-bombs), particularly in scenes involving the shifting relationship of brothers Moses (Kyran Wright) and Aaron (Jedhi Weir). But she also summons beautiful imagery in the affectionate exchanges between Moses's wife Tzipporah (Lucy Marie Lopez) and Aaron's twin Miriam (Ruki Etti), and the loving memories shared by Moses and Tzipporah. There are laughs, too, as improbable as that may seem in a play about plagues [...] Urrutia and company meet the script's creative demands in simple ways. Turning water into blood is accomplished by Leonardo Urbina's lighting. Little plastic frogs emerge from Sulliero's set; ditto, the later plague of locusts. Irritating gnats are evoked by the buzzing cast. As Aaron, Weir delivers a vividly disturbing speech about the wild beasts emerging from his body. Plagues of boils, fiery hail, darkness and the death of first-born children follow. [...] Running about 80 minutes, "Plague Play" is captivating throughout, even though you realize (thanks to projected words in Hebrew and English) that you're going through a kind of countdown of the plagues. Urrutia's staging in the small space and the performances of the four actors take the audience on a journey that, against all odds, remains suspenseful."    - Christine Dolen, Artburst Miami

"Wright gives us a Moses you can be best friends with, the kind of person you want to back you up no matter where you go, while also showing moments of authenticity and vulnerability. Weir portrays Aaron as a man in constant battle with himself and what he is a part of. At times it seems like he has nowhere to go, but then balances that in the quiet moments. Lopez brings love into the space as Tzipporah. Her private conversations with Moses might be one sided at times but you see the love that is there, and especially with Miriam, who is grounded by Etti. [...] Through each terrifying plague, Proctor has made sure to lighten the load with humor sprinkled on top, which keeps the audience away from some deep dark dive." - Luis Herrera, South Florida Theater Magazine