Review: THE AMISH PROJECT at Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater

Having a single actor playing seven different characters of varying ages and sexes, coupled with a story that jumps around on a constantly fluctuating narrative thread, and you could have a theatrical disaster on your hands.

But thanks to a compelling tour de force performance by Sarah Gise, tight direction by David Connelly and excellent lighting design by Tim Francis, the drama ultimately coalesces into a moving story about the ten Amish children who were killed in cold blood in their classrooms by a lone gunman in Pennsylvania in 2006.

The way Sarah Gise changes from one character to another in the blink of an eye is one of the most astonishing performances I have seen in San Antonio (or indeed anywhere else). It is worth the price of admission alone.

The play continues for this weekend and next at the Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater at the Tobin Center. Tickets are available online at www.tobincenter.org, or by phone at 210-223-8624.