More Theater Monday: EmpathitRaX

We were given complimentary tickets to EmpathitRaX for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: Empathitrax

Where:  Suzanne Roberts Theatre

              480 S. Broad Street

               Philadelphia, PA

Who: Recommended for Ages 17 and Up Due to Language and Subject Matter

When: Through March 5, 2023

EmpathitRaX imagines a world where there is a  pill you can take that lets you feel someone else emotions in the way that they experience them. A young couple commences a course of treatment with the drug to try and repair their damaged relationship. They are not even given names, a city, or any other identifying information (the only personal thing we know about them is their dog's name) so they could be any couple anywhere at any time. This makes the audience feel as emotionally distanced from the couple as they are from each other. 

Since a lot of what happens in this show happens internally, obviously, we cannot feel how another person experiences their emotions especially when those emotions are only being acted in a play, it takes a couple of strong performances to really sell the idea that this can and is happening. Makoto Hirano as the male half of the couple and Claire Ine Richards as the female do a nice job of it. Still, it is all so visceral that it is hard to really imagine. However, what is clear is that a pill isn't going to clear up what's wrong with this couple's relationship and may even make things worse (those dreaded side effects). If they want their relationship to work, they are going to have to work at it, and that is an important lesson for us all.

And that's our view. For more about EmpiathirtRaX or to purchase tickets, visit philadelphiatheatrecompany.org

Tune in tomorrow for Tips for Tuesday.

Photo credits:

All EmpathiTraX photos by Mark Garvin