PILLOW SCARS
nytheatre.com review by Josephine Cashman
August 15, 2002
Pillow Scars is an engaging
and funny look at the meanings and ramifications of Sex and Love. Ethan
Kanfer has deftly written six vignettes that are quite remarkable, if at
times a little predictable. Simply and effectively staged, these short
plays are cleverly directed by Daniela Farris, and while the pace was at
times a little slow, Daniela Farris and Ethan Kanfer have found a solid
cast to work with. The stories segue from one to another with notable
lighting and well-chosen musical selections ranging from Frank Sinatra
to John Waite to Hall and Oates and back again.The first, A Perfect Day, is about the innocent questions of a young child to her Nanny about the technical aspects of "making love" and orgasm. Afterglow shows the audience the comic communication and miscommunication that goes on between lovers and their need to spice things up in the bedroom, while Pillow Scars covers long distance romance and loneliness. The last three tales, however, are far and away the most effective and well-written. Out of Uniform is a strong and moving piece about Miss Logan, an English teacher and her student, Carlotta, who has observed her masturbating. Denise Dunn is marvelously subtle and touching as the English teacher, and Erin Carey plays Carlotta with all the confusion and zeal of a girl who is just becoming aware of her emerging sexuality. In The Great Thing About You, Chance Muehleck is terrific as the obtuse Jack who seems to be unaware of the crush his best friend Holly has on him. She attempts to tell him how she feels and he continues to blithely deflect and misread her statements. The final piece, Strike A Match, is sly and witty, with a laugh-out loud, sweet denouement that is a refreshing way to end the evening.
