BWW Reviews: I AND YOU at Mad Cow Theatre

"Be curious, not judgmental" these are not just wise words for a theatre critic, but for anyone planning on attending Mad Cow's production of I AND YOU playing through December 14th. Playwright Lauren Gunderson's new play, which was featured at Orlando Shakes 2013 PlayFest, is about hope and faith and how much of an impact they unconsciously play on a teenager named Caroline.

Caroline has spent a majority of her young life reserved in her room due to a debilitating disease while she waits on the donor list. Jaded and insecure, she spends her days trying to find ways to occupy her time. When she's not sifting through sympathetic Facebook Wall posts on her iPhone, Caroline turns to the walls of her bedroom for security and decorates them to reflect her favorite things.

At the top of the show she is startled by Anthony, a fellow classmate and complete stranger due to her extended absence from school. Anthony arrives to present her with a class project that the two have been assigned to complete. The subject? "Walt Whitman and the usage of pronouns." Immediately, Caroline resists Anthony and his pathetic contribution to the project and lets her low self-esteem weigh her down. Regardless, Anthony's affable demeanor gets Caroline to cooperate. As the two explore the words of Walt Whitman, Anthony cleverly uses them to get Caroline to share her story with him. Caroline begins to have a cathartic reaction to the words of the poet, flies off the handle and again resists Anthony's kindness. Until, yes, once again, Anthony, as if programmed by some other force, wins her over and brings Caroline back down to earth.

Lauren Gunderson's script sings with a resounding harmonic cadence and is one of the better recent attempts I've seen at capturing the voice of a bitchy, scornful, "I can't" millennial generation. The play has about 20 minutes of fat in the first act and could benefit from the cut of its intermission, but aside from that, this new play is a breath of fresh air. Who says new, ambitious work cannot be found in Orlando?

Director Aradhana Tiwari, Mad Cow's new Resident Director, brings many naturalistic elements to this play that is essentially just once scene. Staging two actors in the same set on stage together for the entire run is almost as big of a challenge as mounting a huge production musical number. It must remain exciting and authentic the entire time and Tiwari exceeds at this. All actions are justified and blocking never becomes cluttered.

Karleigh Chase as Caroline captures the energy of a young teen and weaves together a character who has experienced more than anyone her age should. Karleigh Chase isn't afraid of making choices to embody some of the less desirable archetypal qualities most commonly associated with teenage angst.

As Anthony, Mike Mitchell Jr., a newcomer to the Orlando area, plays a complex character rather well. However, I had several reservations with his lack of growth. For the entire play, Anthony does not grow much, or even change his objective. Nevertheless, everything was justifiable during the surprising finale.

I have no intention in revealing the deeply profound conclusion Lauren Gunderson composes for the audience. All I will write in this review is that particular attention should be paid to the wonderful moments Gunderson peppers throughout her script. An invisible Chekhov's gun if you will. Like the film, AMERICAN BEAUTY that encouraged it's audience to "Look Closer", I AND YOU wants its patrons to understand that breathing is not a sign of living.

I AND YOU runs through December 14th. For tickets, visit the Mad Cow Website.

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