On the Culture Front: Life and Times, The Encounter, Christine and more

What would it be like if we could actually experience what our partners are feeling? That is the question that drives the inventively conceived if thinly realized concept play "Empathitrax" by Ana Nogueira. The first fifteen-minutes fly by propelled by giddy anticipation, but like many pharmaceuticals, the high quickly flatlines and we're left with a dull sensation.

There's a weariness that sets in halfway through John Ahlin and Christopher Patrick Mullen's intermittently absorbing character study "ChipandGus." The two playwrights also serve as directors and the title (and only) characters in this intimate two-hander. Almost all of the action unfolds during the course of a ping-pong game, which makes for great lively stage business. The problem is they try to cram too many dramatic peaks into a ninety-minute match resulting in forced and shallow catharsis. If instead of one match we saw scenes from dozens of matches over the decades of their friendship, then crucial information could be planted with nuance and the drama could be built more organically.

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