←Recommendations of A Bucket of Crabs (Walking Warm)

Three sisters gather during the COVID pandemic to shuck corn and discuss ponies, crabs, and Toby Jugs (but not politics, never that.) In a world where the wine has less value than hand-sanitizer and Al Anon and QAnon have become interchangeable, how exactly do we get down to the core of communicating what really matters? The subtext does the heavy lifting here; and, in the capable hands of Nora Louise Syran, it does a great job of it.

Sometimes the closest ties are strung between the widest gaps. And in today's charged society, those ties and those gaps are being stretched further apart. The three women depicted here in Nora Louise Syran's gathering are anything but on the same page. So when Charlotte has had quite enough of it and lays it all out about the amount of bullshit people are throwing at one another, I was so onboard with her. A satisfying conclusion to be sure. Corn should be the ONLY thing these women are shucking towards each other.

What's said . . . what is unsaid . . . what shouldn't be said . . . in polite company. Even sisters have to step very, very carefully amongst themselves. Like the haulting dialogue that runs throughout the play, the three sisters seem to have an ardent, near urgent need to express themselves politically. Yet hold back for fear of inflicting pain. Ironically, that's where the humor lies. Definitely a play for our troubled times.

Nora Louise Syran provides an idyllic setting for this gathering of three sisters. The conversation moves naturally from topic to topic as the older sister attempts to cut off any discussion of sensitive issues (i.e., politics and Covid conspiracies). Although differences emerge, the sibling bonds remain strong. Three great roles with one having a terrific monologue. Besides being moved by the story, I was left with a strong desire for steamed crabs, Old Bay, and corn on the cob.

Words said and unsaid. Words meant and twisted. Words bringing sisters together and words creating tears to keep them apart. But then there are the memories that keep them together. In a world where crabs dry out, corn needs to be shucked, and ponies need protection, Syran creates a delicate balance of the ties that bind and the words that bend.

The initially unspoken divides among these sisters provide tension that drew me in from the start. The affection among the sisters keeps their differences submerged as they reminisce about their shared history. When the differences bubble to the surface the peace making sister has her hands full. A final cathartic explosion reveals the depth of their disputes, but also reveals the endurance of their bond.

This rich little slice-of-life play for three women is like a snapshot of an incredibly specific moment in time - and not just politically. I could visualize every single aspect of this intimate scene, from the landscape to the quality of the light. The dialogue is refreshingly naturalistic, and I love how this trio is always walking the line, avoiding addressing the issues that are creating the unspoken tension between them. It all comes full circle in a wonderful, cathartic monologue that adds a satisfying sense of cohesion to the piece. Really lovely!

Lovely play about three sisters who appear to be very different, but are they? The bonds of these sisters are strong and their love shines through.

There is an amazing metaphor in this short play about three sisters on Chincoteaugue Island in Virginia involving a bucket of crabs fighting for survival. Like Chekhov’s famous sisters, these women are dealing with a strong feeling of unrest. They have ideological differences that keep them from connecting, despite the wine, which they hope will bring back pleasant memories from the past. Discussion of the wild ponies there causes more disagreement about personal liberties. A beautifully written play for strong women. Well done!