THE HANGOVER REPORT – Alison Fraser slays Aaron Mark’s SQUEAMISH

Alison Fraser in Aaron Mark's "Squeamish", an All for One Theater production at the Beckett Theatre at Theatre Row.

Alison Fraser in Aaron Mark’s “Squeamish”, an All for One Theater production at the Beckett Theatre at Theatre Row.

Last night, Halloween, I caught up with Aaron Mark’s evocative and gory one-woman show Squeamish, courtesy of All for One Theater at the Beckett Theatre at Theatre Row. It turned out to be the ideal Halloween treat.

In the central role of Sharon – along with dozens of other characters – theater vet Alison Fraser, who fearlessly delivers the wordy play perched on a psychiatrist’s armchair (the production is sparely designed and dimly lit by Sarah Johnston, effectively) for the entirety of the performance, is absolutely delicious.  You see, Sharon is an Upper West Side psychoanalyst whose life is seemingly under control. When her nephew unexpectedly dies, she gradually finds her life slowly spinning out of control as she sinks deeper into her compulsive, bloody tendencies.

Like Mr. Mark’s previous solo shows, Empanada Loca which starred a terrifying Daphne Rubin-Vega and Another Medea with Tom Hewitt, Squeamish is extravagant in its description (perhaps overly so?) as it bravely attempts to dissect and even sympathize with these deranged, compulsive minds. If the play seems to veer in and out of pulpy excesses, Ms. Fraser is rivetingly game for the ride every step of the way, and has the acting skills to pull it off. Her rapid-fire, stream-of-conscious delivery is a thrill to behold; you can’t help but immerse yourself.

RECOMMENDED

 

SQUEAMISH
Off-Broadway, Play
All for One Theater at the Beckett Theatre at Theatre Row
1 hour, 25 minutes (no intermission)
Through November 11

 

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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