If you love mystery and theater, then TheatreWorks Hartford has a ticket with your name engraved on it, a play by David Cale “SANDRA,” extended now until Thursday, June 27. What might you do is you were Sandra? Your best friend Ethan has disturbingly announced that he needs to get away. With that cryptic pronouncement, he flies off to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, leaving her with a solo tape of his piano creations. But he never returns.
Sandra is not exactly the most balanced of individuals. She is contemplating leaving her husband Richard after thirteen years of marriage, and, to make matters worse, she has a difficult relationship with something else: alcohol. But, being a true friend to Ethan, she immediately leaves her Brooklyn cafe in the hands of her assistant Sarah and boards a plane to Mexico to search for him.
Soon we are on a traumatic ride with Sandra as she follows clues to Ethan’s disappearance, with only a little help from the police. Soon Sandra finds herself at risk, meeting people whose lives have touched Ethan’s, especially Luca, an Italian student (or Lothario) who intrigues Sandra so much that she engages in a steamy sexual relationship without knowing exactly who he is or pretends to be.
Accompanying Sandra on this dangerous mission are the fantastic projections that visually surround her and illuminate her venture, created by Camilla Tassi. This video design envelops Sandra with immediacy and chronicles her journey. Felicia Curry’s Sandra is captivating as she continues her search, delving deeper into Ethan's psyche and problems.
Will Sandra succeed in her quest, to not only find her friend but to also uncover her true self. As the danger heightens its grip, will Sandra be able to read the clues correctly, especially when dead bodies are discovered on the beach? Matthew Dean Marsh’s music adds a pulsating rhythm to her growing concerns, while Jared Mezzocchi’s direction catches up the tension and fear.
For tickets ($25-70), call TheaterWorks Hartford, 233 Pearl Street, Hartford at 860-527-7838 or online at twhartford.org. Performances are Tuesday to 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.
Leap into the fray, feet first, for an 80 minute ride at the edge-of-your-seat suspense as Sandra risks everything in her uneven life to find and rescue her best friend, and possibly rescue herself in the process.
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