Theater Review: A Skeptic and a Bruja

The playwas awarded runner-up in Urbanite's annual Modern Works Festival and was so impressive in doing so that it was the first winning selection to receive a full production at the black box theater in downtown Sarasota.

The play is entirely set in the living room of a historic bed and breakfast that Priscilla purchases, hoping to restore it into a profitable business venture after relocating from California in the wake of her partner's death. When supernatural events impede her progress, Priscilla calls on Sam and Jess, hosts of a popular ghost-hunting show on YouTube called A Skeptic and a Bruja.

Lorinda Hawkins Smith gives a warm and engaging performance as Priscilla with a subtle yet powerful emoting of grief hanging over each scene. Alisha Espinosa adds flare to the production as Jess, thebruja(witch or sorceress) who's been saddled with the family gift of being able to commune with the spirits of the dead, who rarely give her a moment's peace.

Mercedes White gives a solid turn as Sam, Jess's cohost and sidekick, the skeptic of the duo, and their chemistry is a critical element of the play's success. Jen Diaz gives a strong performance as Remy, Jess's cousin and a last-minute addition to the trip. Remy's character does a very effective job of adding levity to the story through comedic gaffs, all of which land.

As usual, the production team does a magnificent job of creatively utilizing Urbanite's small black box space in an impressively detailed set that would not be out of place in a much larger venue.

A Skeptic and a Brujais the kind of production that should be sending first-time theatergoers (particularly younger audiences) to Urbanite in droves. Urbanite co-artistic directors Brendan Ragan and Summer Dawn Wallace should be credited with bringing to life a production so apt for appealing to new audiences.

Directed by Patrice Amon,A Skeptic and a Brujaruns through May 1. Visit the Urbanitewebsitefor schedule and ticket information.