Reviewed by Guy Picot
UNDER THE INFLUENCE is a charming and witty play-with-songs ostensibly about love in the age of the internet.
Written by Pam Eberhardt, it ultimately tells a soapy story of female friendship. Featuring polished performances by Meghan Allison, Jeff Scot Carey, Emily Clark and the author, it is a pretty perfect fringe show, smart, funny, not too long, and showing evidence of rehearsal. It makes very good use of the studio space, which is usually the reserve of solo shows.
The show starts with the three girls on chairs, each in their own space, communicating on their devices. The songs, performed by Eberhardt who accompanies herself on guitar, have a nice minstrel quality and comment on the action. As the story unfolds, and the characters meet up IRL, the relationships become clearer.
A surprise final number reveals that all the cast are excellent singers, as well as fine comedic actors.
Under The Influence is directed by Lucas Alifano and Produced by Scott Golden.
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