Tuesday, February 13, 2024

DISCOVER THE TREASURE HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT IN "THE GARBOLOGISTS"

Whether you call them sanitation workers, trash men, refuse scientists, garbage men or by the more loftier term of garbologists, the people who collect your discards perform a most necessary task each week. They diligently take away items of paper and plastic, broken debris, discarded waste, that you no longer need or want, and carry it for burial at a dump site. Your trash men can clearly translate your junk into their newly discovered treasure. Have you ever thought about these dedicated servants? Have their lives ever intrigued your imagination? What are their backgrounds and their stories?

For a multitude of answers, follow the garbage truck directly to TheaterWorks Hartford by Sunday, February 25 for an intimate peek inside the vehicle in question as Lindsay Joelle's “The Garbologists” reveals the new relationship of veteran worker Danny, a dedicated to his job Jeff Brooks, as he explains in great detail the workings of his profession to recently hired Marlowe, created by Bebe Nicole Simpson.

As partners, Danny and Marlowe seem on the surface to be worlds apart. Yet, layer by layer, like a newly peeled onion, the audience is privileged to uncover their stories, that Danny is a father who is not allowed to see his son and Marlowe has lost her son to cancer. Danny has been a garbage man for years and lost the respect of his co-workers while Marlowe has significant college literary degrees that make her choice of occupation a mystery. How their lives cross in significant ways is at the heart and humanity of the play and is well worth unraveling.

Rob Ruggiero skillfully directs these talented actors to reveal how life has treated them and why they will forever be connected. For tickets ($25-70), call TheaterWorks Hartford, 233 Pearl Street, Hartford at 860-527-7838 or online at twhartford.org. Performance are Tuesday (with beer and pizza before) at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Come early or stay late for a delicious cup of Mezzie’s ice cream.

Learn a lesson that these people who risk their lives keeping your streets and homes clean are too often viewed as invisible, yet they perform a necessary task that deserves our gratitude and respect and certainly appreciation.

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