Providence, RI

By Skylar Fox and Simon Henriques
Directed and Designed by Skylar Fox
Nightdrive, The Tank, 2017

Lighting Design: Christopher Annas-Lee
Costume Design: Corina Chase
Sound Design: Alex Ostroff
Assistant Director: Emily Garrison
Stage Manager: Isaac VanCuren

Performed by Chloe Ivanson, Danielle Guido, Zina Ellis, Ava Langford, and Simon Henriques

There's this town. All these people live there. There are all these places they live in. And eat at. And avoid. And die in. It's the kind of town you hear about and think: "I should take a trip up there. For the fall colors." But you never do. Tonight is all about this town. And its people. And their places. There are giant squirrels in this town, and a set of quintuplets mysteriously separated at birth -- but we'll get to them later. Providence, RI explores how people build towns, how towns build memories, and how those memories build new people and towns altogether.

“The show is richly thought-out and incredibly complex, and following the threads is deeply enjoyable. Providence, RI is extremely smart, funny, sincere, and creepy, with something for everyone. Fans of Twin Peaks or Welcome to Night Vale will feel especially at home with the feeling that something is just “off” about this town, but anyone who enjoys an emotional roller-coaster and a mental workout will find it well worth their time...Audience participation can often be gimmicky, but Providence, RI uses it sincerely and in a way that makes it absolutely vital to the show, serving to create community in the style of a small-town meeting house. It is rare that theatre succeeds in connecting strangers, but this company uses participation expertly, building connections, maneuvering bodies, and even holding an intermission pancake brunch to build a small-town warm fuzziness. The cast and crew bring together an almost extra-sensory tapestry. The cast clips through live set changes, overlapping narration and semi-linear scenes with expert precision, and the timing is spot on. The show is expertly paced and evidences excellent attention to detail, often using subtle gestures to subtly connect threads briefly mentioned many scenes earlier. The stage design feels like walking onto the set of Parks and Recreation or a church basement, and every detail matters. This is a beautiful production by a remarkably young company, and makes it clear that Nightdrive is definitely one to watch.”
—Theater is Easy (Best Bet)

"Written with a high degree of polish."
–Aisle Say

"Artistically daring…Providence, RI harnesses its elusiveness and cacophony for surprisingly moving ends."
–New York Theatre Review