Transgression
HERE Arts Center
July 14, 2025
Terry Curtis Fox’s new
play, Transgression, questions and explores
the boundaries of an artist’s creative process.
His characters are all affected by the private discoveries made during
the course of the play, giving a rich perspective on the severity of actions previously
taken. Director Avra Fox-Lerner sheds
equal light on the sensitivity of each of these perspectives, allowing the audience
to use their own moral compass to draw a conclusion. Photo courtesy of Transgression
Gina (played by Jane Ives) finds a series of photos taken by her deceased husband, Norman (played by James Jelkin), a renown photographer, famous for his female nude portraits. She immediately contacts Martin (played by Yuvai Boim), who is curating a retrospective of Norman’s work. He confirms that the newly discovered photos are Norman’s best work and that the subject is an under-aged girl. She is sleeping in all the photos, so it is unclear if Norman had her consent. Martin sends out a press release to find this young woman. She is now in her sixties, and wants the photos destroyed. When Gina uncovers additional secrets Norman kept from her, she realizes Norman’s creative process crossed ethical lines.
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Susan Bennett & Yuvai Boim Photo courtesy of Transgression |
Susan Bennett shows her range by playing two very distinct roles. First is the older version of Robin, the underage object of Norman’s nude portraits. She subtly portrays the effect of the sexual abuse this character experienced, while also admitting to being a seducer. This dichotomy gives her character extreme complexity. After years of therapy, she is able to clearly articulate her feelings. Ms. Bennett skillfully handles the challenge of this role with grace and confidence. Her second role is Robin’s mother. This is another highly complex character that Ms. Bennett pulls off beautifully.
James Jelkin & Ivy Rose Cort
Photo courteys of Transgression
James Jelkin and Ivy Rose
Cort play Norman and the young Robin.
Their chemistry is potent. Robin
is both Norman’s artistic muse and the object of his sexual desire. These two actors instinctively play this
multiplicity. The dramatic question of
the piece centers around the morality and legal ramifications of this
relationship. The writing in these
scenes is intriguing, giving the audience a lot to absorb and think about. They are sensitively directed, producing performances that are intimate and tender.
Transgression is playing at HERE Arts Center through August 2. It is thought provoking subject matter, skillfully handled and excellently produced.
Domenick Danza