This Flat Earth

This Flat Earth

Playwrights Horizons

April 1, 2018

Photo courtesy of Playwrights Horizons

Lindsey Ferrantino’s This Flat Earth is a powerful, emotional, and timely look at the effect of gun violence and school shootings on adolescents.  The Playwrights Horizons production is stunning.  Director Rebecca Taichman rhythmically builds the action of the scenes to gradually peel back the truths and realities of the characters.  Her cast is magnificent, each finding the heart in the words of these well written characters.  The two level set by Dane Laffrey is slick and clean, keeping the transitions smooth and concise.

Ian Saint-Germain & Ella Kennedy Davis
Photo courtesy of Playwrights Horizons

Julie (played by Ella Kennedy Davis) and Zander (played by Ian Saint-Germain) are preparing to return to school after a shooting took the lives of some of their classmates.  Her father, Dan (played by Lucas Papaelias), helps Lisa (played by Cassie Beck) distribute the popcorn her daughter sold for a fundraiser for the school orchestra.  Lisa’s daughter, who played the cello, was killed in the school shooting.  When Julie and Zander see her, they are unable to look her in the eye.  Julie exhibits other signs of trauma, such as quick responses to loud noises and an emotional response to the sound of her upstairs neighbor, Cloris (played by Lynda Gravatt), playing recordings of cello music.  When Julie is forced to transfer schools, she confronts her trauma by asking simple and direct questions.  She gets answers to most of them, yet one remains unanswered and unresolved.

Lynda Gravatt, Lucas Papaelias, & Ella Kennedy Davis
Photo courtesy of Playwrights Horizons

The actors in this cast create vulnerable characters and honest relationships that are engaging on a deep emotional level.  Ella Kennedy Davis has the perfect balance of spunk and naiveté as Julie.  Ian Saint-Germain is open and sincere as Zander.  Their connection is genuine and delicate.  Lucas Papaelias portrays Dan as a concerned and caring father, focused on providing his daughter with the best structured environment he can.  His intentions are sincere and his shortcomings are real.  Cassie Beck’s Lisa is in the middle of an emotional breakdown due to the unfathomable and violent loss of her daughter.  She creates a true sense of empathy with the audience.  Lynda Gravatt’s portrayal of Cloris, the curmudgeony upstairs neighbor, is strong and grounded.  Her timing and interpretation of the play’s closing monologue is direct, poignant, and perfectly delivered.  Live music performed by cellist Christina H. Kim graciously enhances the production since, as the Cloris explains, the cello expresses the full range of human voice and emotion.  

Given recent events in Florida and the student protests across the country, the timing and relevance of this production is uncanny.  The glimpse into the thoughts of the two teenagers (Julie and Zander) and the pain of the victim’s mother (Lisa) offers a very personal insight that we do not see on news coverage of such events.  This play stops the noise of the protests and political rhetoric and allows us to grasp the emotional distress that comes from direct involvement with violent incidents.  Along with the characters, you question the reasons for their occurrence and understand the strength it takes to move past them.    

Playwright Lindsey Ferrantino
Photo courtesy of Playwrights Horizons

Lindsey Ferrantino has written a masterpiece, reflecting the vulnerability of human experience told through truthful relationships.  The only other play I have seen this season that achieves this with skill and grace is Amy and the Orphans, also written by Ms. Ferrantino.  She is a playwright to keep an eye on.  Her voice is honest, tender, and potent. 

This Flat Earth is playing at Playwrights Horizons through April 29.  You MUST see this play.  Get your tickets today! 

Domenick Danza