Review by Tania Fisher: Reborning - an inanimate object becomes the catalyst to address previously unsolved emotional clutter.
Described as a dark comedy, this actually very appealing and incredibly interesting play is so much more. Award winning playwright Zayd Dohrn, gives us a truly original and unique story in Reborning, opening at the SOHO Playhouse on July 12.
Set in a doll maker’s studio in Queens, the concept of the play’s title may initially be interpreted as a direct link to the lifelike baby dolls that are made by artist Kelly (Emily Bett Rickards) who is often asked to produce exact doll replicas of peoples’ babies either as a sweet memento, or sometimes, on the slightly darker side, to somehow, on some level, replace a deceased baby as part of a grieving process.
Rickards, Piaskowski, and Triolo are all equally outstanding, giving natural and comfortable performances with ease.
Rickards, as the doll maker Kelly, conveys a likeable earthiness, and a relatable characterization, even though her character’s circumstances are incredibly uncommon. She handles her high end dramatic moments with professional tact.