In the Continuum
Written by Danai Gurira and Nikkole Salter
Directed by Ilesa Duncan
at Pegasus Players, 4520 N. Beacon (map)
thru June 17 | tickets: $25 | more info
Check for half-price tickets
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Powerful examination of issues usually swept under the rug
Pegasus Players presents
In the Continuum
Review by Keith Glab
Over the past decade-plus, discussion about the ramifications of HIV and AIDS has dwindled. Part of the reason is that Magic Johnson, the most famous HIV-positive figure in the world, has lived a healthy life for over 20 years with the virus. In The Continuum, penned in 2005 as an NYU graduate school project, illuminates some of the other reasons that people rarely mention HIV or AIDS these days.
By paralleling the stories of two black women of starkly different origins and socioeconomic backgrounds, the play underscores how widespread the problems of AIDS still are, particularly in the African-American community. Director Ilesa Duncan skillfully weaves the two stories together with intricate blocking that somehow never appears contrived.
Unlike the Goodman Theatre’s 2007 production of this piece, the two actors are not playwrights Danai Gurira and Nikkole Salter. Samantha Bailey and Ashleigh Lathrop give this production tremendous energy, keeping audience attention rapt while speaking entirely in dramatic monolog on a barebones set. This is even more impressive considering both actors remain onstage for almost the entirety of the 90-minute performance. While the story sounds grim, the script teems with dark humor, which the actors are able to execute with nuanced comic timing.
Bailey and Lathrop also succeed in portraying a multitude of characters as distinctly different throughout the play, often with minimal costume changes to reinforce this. Bailey’s witch doctor and Lathrop’s ultra-white social worker are the most memorable of the bunch, but the subtle differences given to less flamboyant characters represent true acting success.
 
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There are times when it’s a pretty slow reveal as to what character we are watching in a particular scene and what their relationship is to the main characters. The small video monitors on set might have been used to elucidate any ambiguity sooner, but instead only relate an occasional factoid about AIDS or sometimes give a hint at a scene’s setting. Used as minimally as they were, those video screens probably didn’t need to be included at all.
In The Continuum never feels preachy. It is the telling of a compelling and entertaining story that deals with not only the issue of AIDS, but gender, race, family, money, deceit, and more. The audience is left to decide for themselves exactly how to feel about these issues, but cannot help feeling deeply moved by the manner in which they are presented.
Rating: ★★★½
In the Continuum continues through June 17th at Pegasus Players, 4520 N. Beacon (map), with performances Thursdays-Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays 3pm. Tickets are $25, and are available at the door or online at OvationTix.com (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information at PegasusPlayers.org. (Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes with no intermission)
All photos by AndrewalkeR
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