Confessional Catharsis

Five Encounters on a Site Called Craigslist – Pride Films & Plays

Whenever theatergoers attend a production they know, deep down inside, that what they’re about to see is make-believe. The drama is made-up, the characters aren’t real but are being portrayed by actors who’ve memorized dialogue that a playwright has written. The story takes place in an mock setting that another theatre artist has designed and built, and it’s lit with artificial, colored stage lighting, created by yet another designer. Even the clothes that the characters wear have been carefully chosen or designed and built by another artist.

But every once in a while a production comes along that’s not just realistic, but is an actual slice of real life. This gentle, sensitively presented, carefully rehearsed performance piece (to call it a “play” is a misnomer) is such an animal. Written by British playwright Sam Ward and premiering at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, this modest, confessional one-man performance is as touching and brutally honest as you’ll ever see on a stage. Directed with subtlety and a fine hand by Jeremy Ohringer, the piece stars promising Chicago newcomer, Erik Sorensen, in a charismatic performance that’s sure to be remembered for a long time to come.

The element of surprise is important in theatre so not many details about this performance piece will be divulged here. Erik plays Sam Ward, as if he’s actually the playwright sharing his own experiences. He asks if anyone in the audience has heard of Craigslist and elicits responses about what it is. We’re told that it’s one of the largest job sites on the internet but, before it was taken down, it use to have a Personals section that attracted every form of sexual interest. The evening’s presentation becomes a kind of catharsis for the actor/playwright, delivered in a confessional that contains a surprising amount of emotion and personal connection. 

He explains that as a college student he discovered Craigslist. He goes on to say that he found he could solicit anonymous sexual encounters, devoid of any emotional ties, simply for the experience itself. In his ad, the playwright/actor stated that he would come to a man’s house, ask him to drop his pants, service him and then leave, without any further obligation or relationship.  

The performer then relates the details of five encounters, describing them in raw, graphic detail, which might offend more sensitive audience members. Erik then asks for audience volunteers to join him onstage in order to act out parts of these encounters. Now, it must be stated upfront that the stage is truly a safe space. The participant isn’t asked to do anything uncomfortable or remotely sexual in nature. Sometimes the audience member will be asked to read something, provide sound effects from a Foley Table, answer a few questions, dance with Erik and other theatergoers or feed the actor (and be fed) some grapes. 

Before the show began, Erik Sorensen handed out blank index cards and pens, instructing the audience that they’ll be told what to do with them later. Then, toward the end of the 60-90 minute presentation (depending upon the audience’s amount of involvement), Mr. Sorensen explains to theatergoers that, if they choose to, may write something that they wished they’d told someone, but never had the chance. The cards are then put into a box onstage with either a Y, for Yes, or an N, for No; this indicates whether or not the writer gives permission to have his statement read aloud. It’s at this point that each performance becomes very personal. The audience responses that Mr. Sorensen randomly reads aloud are sometimes funny, maybe even shocking and often heartbreaking, and we all share in this collective experience and the many emotions they evoke.

The ruggedly handsome Mr. Sorensen is an excellent storyteller. Articulate, honest and relatable, he’s as genuine and disarming as any person can be. Theatergoers soon give over entirely to Erik’s sincerity and, in the process, discover more about themselves than the actor. Every performance will be unique because the audience, Erik’s acting partner, will be different each night. There’s some information imparted about psychologist Arthur Aron. He apparently explored how intimacy could be accelerated and improved between couples by coming up with a series of 36 questions that they could share. But the real heart of this exhilarating presentation is the truthful, transparent performance by Erik Sorensen that’s never make-believe. He develops a palpable chemistry between each audience member and himself that is absolutely real.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas       

Presented March 7-April 12 by Pride Films & Plays at The Broadway, 4139 N. Broadway, Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 866-811-4111 or 773-857-0222 or by going to www.pridefilmsandplays.com.

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