I saw it Saturday night and was thoroughly immersed from the moment Simon (John Archie) walked onstage. I became invested in the show at that moment, and proceeded to forget all about my world for the duration of the show. Archie embodied his character so completely, right down to that determined, fettered gait of his — a movement that made Simon seem so solid and so breakable, both at the same time.

I didn’t realize how much this play had gotten under my skin until I spent Sunday recounting bits and pieces of it, and realized I had dreamed of it as well.

It’s so worth seeing if only for the transfixing, heartbreaking scene where John (Brandon Morris) recounts a pivotal trip to the whipping man. Well, and for the powerful revelation of a seder as spoken/sung by Simon. AND for the dramatic staging of the amputation scene. The spoken revelations toward the end are sheer bonus. :)

Kudos to the Caldwell, for straying from the beaten path!