Theater Review: The Burdens

SARASOTA – The Burdens, a deliciously dark comedy by Matt Schatz, made its regional debut at Urbanite Theatre in downtown Sarasota on Friday evening.

Siblings Jane and Mordy rarely seem to talk to each other, although they text almost constantly–a clever device Schatz uses to mine laughs while also seemingly providing social commentary on the shortcomings of modern communication.

The drama of the play surrounds what to do with their 100-year-old grandfather, Zad Zad, who is suffering through his final stage of life riddled with dementia and under the care of an assisted living facility, the cost of which is bankrupting their mother.

The play got off to a bit of a shaky start with too much of the first-act humor failing to land but found its rhythm as the tension unexpectedly skyrocketed in a manic second act that preceded a hilarious, laugh-out-loud finale.

Morgan Lavenstein is wonderful as Jane, a successful attorney with a type-A personality, endowing her with a palpable intensity that can be felt in every seat of the house. She enjoys pitch-perfect chemistry with Jacob Fallon, who plays her little brother, Mordy, who is far less assertive or accomplished and seems to enjoy a life with far less stress and anxiety for it.

The result is a thoughtfully-reflective look at familial relationships amid one’s own journey of self-discovery that will surely resonate with audiences of all backgrounds and experiences.

Directed by Brendan Ragan, The Burdens runs through November 27. Click here for schedule and ticket information.