Reflect On Yourself With Dramashop's Circle Mirror Transformation

Friday, Feb. 2

For years now, Dramashop has acted as an outlet for contemporary theater in Erie, including some very bold alternative projects. And by the sounds of it, their production of Annie Baker's Circle Mirror Transformation will be no different.

"I had never heard of Circle Mirror Transformation until [Dramashop artistic director] Zach Flock mentioned it to me a few weeks ago," says director Kathleen Cahill. "At first I was somewhat apprehensive about the script because it's such a physical piece, but then I realized what a challenge it could be and felt up to the task to bring a physical piece to a staged reading."

Described as "a beautifully crafted diorama ... with hilarious detail and clarity," the story follows a group of four who enroll in a six-week community center drama class, during which a series of revelations begin to reveal the deeper relationships between them. The piece received an OBIE Award for Best New American Play and received a Drama Desk nomination for Best Play.

This unconventional production seems like the kind of experimental success story only veterans of Dramashop could handle. But Cahill is confident that the themes behind Circle are universal enough to resonate with audience members from all walks of life.

"Circle Mirror Transformation is raw," concludes Cahill. "It's heartbreaking sometimes and has its own charm to it when you really listen. Humor comes into play a little bit. I think audiences will either leave super confused as to what they just saw, or will have been given a mirror to hold up to themselves. Everyone will be able to relate to one of these characters at some point in their story. They are real people and their stories have the strange ability to bring up a memory or two for anyone who loves theater." — Aaron Mook

8 p.m., Feb. 2 and Feb. 9 // 1001 State Street #210 // Pay what you can // dramashop.org