Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Tectonic’s touching, sensory-driven UNCOMMON SENSE places the audience in the shoes of its autistic characters

• By drediman
• November 8, 2017
• No Comments

Tectonic Theater Project’s “Uncommon Sense” by Anushka Paris-Carter and Andy Paris at the Sheen Center.

Down at the Sheen Center, I recently had the opportunity to catch Tectonic Theatre Project’s Uncommon Sense, a touching, multi-thread play about autism. In structure, the Anushka Paris-Carter and Andy Paris’s play adheres to the effective and affecting collage-like docs-play format that has been a hallmark of Tectonic productions (like the company’s powerful signature piece, The Laramie Project by Moisés Kaufman), although the play at times does try a tad too eagerly to hit all the requisite thematic and emotional bases. However, I ultimately found the play to be a deeply moving, even eye-opening, experience.

Despite this minor qualm regarding the well-meaning text, allegedly the result of five years of research, Tectonic’s production is first rate. Through the continuously ingenious use of projections (courtesy of David Bengalid) and dynamic blocking on the production’s tiered, stylishly architectural set (by John Coyle), Mr. Paris – who also directs – has thrillingly unlocked the theatricality of the play. His sensory-driven approach is reminiscent of Marianne Elliott’s work on Simon Stephens’ smash hit stage adaptation of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, also a play about autism. Both stagings do a wonderful job of placing the audience within the bodies and minds of their autistic characters through bang-up directorial and design work.

Mr. Paris’s production also features some very accomplished acting from its hard-working cast of eight. Most of them do a remarkable job of seamlessly navigating between wildly disparate characters. It’s also refreshing to report that one of these actors, Andrew Duff, is openly on the autism spectrum. It’s no wonder his wordless performance seethes with authenticity and truth.

RECOMMENDED

UNCOMMON GROUND
Off-Broadway, Play
Tectonic Theater Project at the Sheen Center
1 hour, 40 minutes (without an intermission)
Through November 26