←Recommendations of Enferma

I had the pleasure of dramaturging this play when it appeared at the Phoenix Theatre Company's Festival of New American Theatre. Straton wrote a beautiful piece that deals with how we confront illness and mortality, while also offering a pleasing look into the many ways that we might find connection in the world. The use of Spanish is beautiful and clever, allowing us to see a different facet of the characters. Straton has found some beautiful truths in this story that deals with deception.

I could tell you that Enferma is populated by complicated people - not characters. I could go on about how this is a truly original work with a roller-coaster plot with plenty of twists and turns that leaves reader satisfied by the end, all loose ends tied by the play's end. I'd talk your ear off about the play's use of language, structurally and artistically (great script for Spanish speakers and/or companies looking to utilize the internet in as a living part of their production.)

What I will say instead is this: "Read it. You'll be glad you did."

It's always wonderful to read a play with an original premise and execution, and "Enferma" is no exception. This play is full of witty humor, heartbreaking undertones, and revenge (which I'm always a fan of). Rushing creates a wonderful world for these characters and each plays their part beautifully, and is able to portray sickness in a way where the characters aren't defined by it, but rather it's just part of their character instead of their entirety.

There is also a wonderful use of Spanish, which just adds another great layer to this already great play.

"Enferma" is an interesting, witty play where characters are caught between different worlds. The use of the online persona within this piece is striking and throughout all of the twists and turns, I was always along for the ride. Without giving anything away, I highly recommend this play. I am excited to see where it's journey goes and whom it affects because it certainly has me thinking differently about my life and presence to strangers.

There is much to admire in Straton's ENFERMA. His unique and inventive way of communicating exposition, his creation of distinct voices through his effective command of dialogue, his use of plot twists without it feeling contrived, down to his ability to touch on cultural problems and virtues in our society without being preachy. This play is relentlessly readable and human. His characters are complex, full-fledged human beings with complicated moralities, weaknesses, and inner-humanity that explores our reaction to crises of both self-created and bodily. A play to watch out for. I hope it has a long life on stage.