←Recommendations of CAROL OF CARROLL GARDENS

Bob Stewart has written a wondrous tale of twenty-first century whimsy, where in two lost souls swim in the urban shadow of the Neverland, while a chorus of three cats makes the forth wall a deliciously porous portal between the present and the hereafter. And oh boy would I like to design the set for this show!

A play about one of those unlikely relationships that goes to unexpected places and lands with an ending completely organic and startlingly poignant. Stewart's skill with the main characters is always assured, as is his deft approach to a panoply of fully realized secondary characters. His ability to make all of them essential parts of the unfolding drama is simply astonishing. Also, cats! As far as I'm concerned, the depth of characterization, humor, and insight brought to the non-humans puts a certain well-known musical to shame. Very impressive work.

“Carol of Carroll Gardens” hides a few tricks up its sleeve. Ostensibly a story about a misanthropic woman with terminal cancer, the play layers great theatricality, surrealism, and transformations—of people, animals, and neighborhoods—in a savory dish. With poignancy and great humor, the play follows Carol through cancer treatment, assisted by her friend Scotty, kindly nurses, an ailing physician, and three magical cats. Structured beautifully and never predictable, “Carol” takes us on a journey that initially seems to be about preparing to die but ultimately is about learning to live. Readers at the Depot highly recommend it.

This is a wonderfully theatrical play that takes an honest and profound but also humorous look at illness and the human relationships that are inextricably bound up wth caregiving, growing up, and growing older. The play offers great roles for a variety of ages including a juicy one for an older female. It also offers a lot of possibilities for designers and directors to exercise their creativity.