Jimmy G. Mai, artistic director of the Midnight Theater company, isn’t afraid of taking audiences to a place of hopelessness in ‘night Mother. The unsettling story involves a tense mother-daughter relationship made even more difficult when the daughter calmly announces she’s going to commit suicide. The daughter is played by Jasmine D. S. Torres, with the mother portrayed by Lilian Care. During every performance, Torres must convince the audience that her character’s decision is sane and rational. It’s that sense of hopelessness and resignation that’s most difficult for audiences, not because they don’t empathize with it but because they do. As the story unfolds, and more of the daughter’s sad, almost unbearable life is revealed, her decision becomes more and more understandable. Mai admits the show certainly challenges audiences, but hopes that its resolution will leave them satisfied and uplifted. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. Frenetic Theater, 5102 Navigation. For information, visit www.themidnighttheater.com. $12 to $15.
Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sun., Nov. 7, 3 p.m. Starts: Nov. 5. Continues through Nov. 6, 2010
This article appears in Nov 4-10, 2010.