Their Fingers Do the Talking

You Are Happy – Red Theatre

Bridget is an attractive single woman who, by her own admission, truly enjoys her independence. But she’s not entirely alone, because she’s taken on the responsibility of managing the well-being and happiness of her younger brother, Jeremy. Walking down the aisles of her local supermarket, Bridget notices that most of the customers are couples, everyone shopping in pairs and complementing each other with their wants and needs. When Bridget returns home to her apartment she, once again, finds her brother Jeremy trying to commit suicide. The lonely young man is determined to either slit his wrists with her razor or hang himself in her closet. Tired of having to keep managing her brother’s psyche, Bridget decides to try to find him find some happiness with the perfect romantic match.

Returning to her grocery store, she patrols the aisles once again. This time Bridget’s looking for any single young woman who she feels would be a possible partner for Jeremy. Suddenly, ironically, there in the razor aisle, Bridget spies Chloe, a pretty young woman who seems to be about Jeremy’s age. Bridget approaches Chloe and pretends that she works for a razor company and is looking for a volunteer to try the manufacturer’s new product, free of charge. The only requirement is that Chloe has to sign a contract, agreeing to be paired up with a single young man, of Bridget’s choice, and be his live-in girlfriend. 

Strange, absurd and rife with a multitude of comedic possibilities, Canadian playwright Rebecca Deraspe’s “Deux ans de votre vie,” translated into English by Leanna Brodie, is being presented by Red Theater with an added new twist. The play’s been transposed into American Sign Language by Mary Kate Ashe, aided by two of its  stars, Michelle Mary Schaefer and Brendan Connelly. The concept for this unique version was the brainchild of company member and literary manager, Giulianna Marchese. And the wonderful part of all this is that this added element of communication works brilliantly and makes the play accessible, at each performance, for every hearing and hearing-impaired theatergoer.

This production is absolutely delightful and, with the addition of manual communication, offers beauty and an element of heightened emotion along with the poetry of telling the story through ASL. Co-directed by Artistic Director Aaron Sawyer and company member Mary Kate Ashe, this production is an exceptional theatrical experience. The cast, which has been doubled from three to six actors. They’re each multitalented and appealing in their various roles and work together, thanks to Sawyer and Ashe, like a well-oiled machine.

Emily Turner, a lovely, gifted young actress, plays Bridget with bewitching drive and stature. Ms. Turner is a hearing/speaking actress, whose ASL skills enhance her performance. Whenever  Bridget signs her dialogue, equally talented actress Elana Weiner-Kaplow voices her words and adds to her emotional responses, while an LED screen also projects what she’s saying. It’s a very creative approach to making this play attainable to one and all.

Handsome Brendan Connelly makes an appealing and vulnerable Jeremy. As a hearing-impaired actor, Mr. Connelly is required to explore and play a range of emotions, motivated by his character’s vulnerability and desperate need for love. This superb actor has been enjoyed in several other productions around Chicagoland, including this company’s production of “R+J: The Vineyard” and “Little Red Cyrano.” Brendan is voiced for the hearing audience by the excellent Bowie Foote, who plays this role in tandem with Mr. Connelly.

Beautiful Michelle Mary Schaefer is absolutely mesmerizing as Chloe, the bright, young woman Bridget tricks into being her brother’s live-in lover. So emphatic in her signing, so dramatic with her facial expressions and body language, Ms. Schaefer captivates the audience with her boundless energy and total commitment. The honesty she portrays truly touches the audience and elicits a great deal of empathy. Chloe’s thoughts are made audible voice by Sarah JK Shoemaker, a talented actress with an impressive resume from around Chicagoland.

Simply staged on and around a single, black platform, with a cube as the only furnishing, serving as a chair, a desk, a bed, and other necessary trappings. The production is given depth and color through Michelle E. Benda’s lighting design. Pavi Proczko provides a sound design that further enhances the audience’s experience in enjoying this production.

Rebecca Deraspe’s sparkling comedy about love among the Millennials is already an intelligent, spicy, sometimes bitter look at three individuals trying to find some meaning in their bland lives. Already an entertaining piece of theatre, through the creative interpretation and direction by Mary Kate Ashe and Aaron Sawyer this play achieves a new level of beauty. The performances by this multitalented, six-member cast, many of whom let their fingers do the talking, are engaging and near perfection. The combination of comedy and pathos in this bizarre play washes over each and every theatergoer and seeps into their hearts. After 90 minutes, audiences head back home entertained, enlightened and affected by this theatre company who dares to ask dangerous questions through their art.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas         

Presented October 25-December 8 by Red Theater at The Edge Off Broadway, 1133 W. Catalpa Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office or by going to www.redtheater.org/tickets.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.