←Recommendations of Afterlife [20-Minutes]

Caruso asks some big questions here, taking the fascinating scenario of a woman scientist trying to get a reluctant, male-driven hospital to perform the historic first radiographic scan of an Egyptian mummy.The philisophical challenge of furthering scientific inquiry at the expense of living patients waiting for their diagnosis combines with patriarchy, and with the quest for a name and immortality... This is a huge play that outshines its run time.

With AFTERLIFE, Iyna Caruso recounts an episode from the history of science: How what was in 1969 the latest innovation in diagnostic medicine revolutionized archeology and museum conservation. But what makes this a richly rendered is how Caruso describes the institutions where research is done, and the ethical and spiritual values and New York neighborhoods and sense of wonder that shaped and motivated the investigators, and make discovery possible.

This is a fascinating and wonderful story of science and its desire to discover (or uncover) the unknown. But also a desire for some form of immortality. I could picture this as a celebrity filled motion picture as well. I am all in for this wonderful story!

Deftly written and immediately engaging - Dr. Rossi's passion is so compelling that we become invested on her behalf for the preservation of a human who died two thousand years ago. The characters, premise and ideas could easily expand into a full length play, so to get this story in a ten minute piece feels very generous.

There's a song by Brandi Carlile called "Fulton County Jane" all about how horrid it is to lose one's name and, with it, much of our history. Caruso, much like Dr. Rossi, advocates for the dead. Mummies are but humans, with names and pasts and hopes once held. To save the dead and to help them find something more than anonymity and ash, that's an act of kind love.

The ending line is guaranteed to make you smile.

A very interesting and intriguing one act here, as the demands of research collide with metaphysical facets of "the beyond." Pinky is a great character, standing up for what she believes, and perhaps changing the nature of such research in the process. This stands well on its own, but the story is definitely fascinating enough to perhaps merit an expansion in the future. In the meantime, "Afterlife" was an enjoyable one act to read.

I hope there's more to come from this - what they found, the impact that had, etc etc. Terrific protagonist.

Caruso's "Afterlife" is a dramatization of a true story, full of personality and debate. The discarding of an insignificant mummy (if there can be such a thing) is in question in light of a new technology that would allow for further learning.
Brisky and sparkly, this well-written piece does much to distinguish its characters from each other, quickly, and in a sub-ten minute time.
There is easily room for expansion here, and could make a compelling two-act.

A great short play that makes us look at our own legacy in a different light. Will we life forever? As long as someone remembers us, and was affected by our presence.