The emo answer to Christmas-themed entertainment, "Cold," written by Dream Theatre's artistic director, Jeremy Menekseoglu, is an emotional car wreck of a play. The holiday story of two anonymous city dwellers who find each other, the show offers a window into the lives of the sort of individuals most people strive to avoid. As such, it is the theatrical equivalent of an hour-and-a-half spent in close quarters with the pushy girl who lived in your college dorm (Lyric, played by Courtney Arnett) and the dour boy who glowered at you from the back of your philosophy class (Menekseoglu as Nate). The fact that one doesn't hate either distressing character speaks to the actors’ ability to finesse their way through potentially off-putting material. Arnett makes consistently unique choices, imbuing her lines with ricocheting pathos and humor. Menekseoglu plays Nate’s highs and lows with equal facility.
Rife with wit and studded with sporadic well-crafted dialogue, the show has its moments. Finely written monologues in which the monologist adeptly clarifies his invisible scene partner's traits and rejoinders are a particular strength; however, stilted phrasing and strangely archaic word choices hobble the flow.
Overall, the show suffers from heavy-handed repetition. Trust your audience, Menekseoglu, we understand that Lyric sleeps around and self-medicates out of loneliness. You don't need to tell us fifteen times. By driving your psychological analysis of each emotionally crippled character relentlessly home, your point loses its punch.
Reviewed by Centerstage!
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