Closed Doors
Theatre festivals are like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get.
The FRIGID Festival kicks off tonight in NYC and approximately 65 shows will run in rep at 5 different venues. Shows will run a bit under an hour. There will be one-acts and bits of longer works in progress; dramas, comedies and musicals.
Closed Doors takes place in a stuck elevator. If Sartre believed Hell is other people, what could be worse than being stuck in an elevator with them. Tim Hayes’ script has all the makings of the perfect festival piece. No set. No scene changes. High drama, and a few laughs. Three actors and a voice from beyond. John, Claire and Raven are not going anywhere, and their only link to the outside world is the voice of Nate from the elevators emergency call button. John is a judge on his way to a meeting with the senator, while the young women are on their way to protest the senator. But, we all soon learn that John and Claire know each other. We cannot escape our past.
This first night out, I felt like the ensemble was out of rhythm. While these characters surely run on different frequencies, the actors didn't feel like they were in the same play. They weren't reacting in the moment, but following a predetermined course. I'm sure as the festival progresses they will find more even footing.
Click HERE for tickets.
Review by Nicole Jesson.
Published by Theatre Beyond Broadway on April 6th, 2025. All rights reserved.