by Alyssa Zakaryan
Smudge begins with an expecting couple, Colby and Nick, confused by the ultrasound photo of their baby. They can’t even determine the baby’s gender. When the baby is born, to say that Colby and Nick are surprised is an understatement – the baby comes out with only one puny “leg” and one “Caribbean Sea colored eye.” The rest of play shows how both parents react and cope (or at least try to) with their daughter, their “little monster”, Cassandra.Cassandra’s birth summons fear, resentment, pity and denial. She invokes an unconventional array of emotions in those who interact with her. The characters are very complex – their outer appearances are only shallow representations of their true feelings and expectations. While Nick appears to be the ideal father by interacting with Cassandra, he is in fact in denial of her terrible disposition, constantly telling her to “reach for the carrot” with the arms she does not have. On the other hand, Colby is very upfront with her detestation towards “it,” but resentfully grows to care for Cassandra – this is after tormenting Cassandra with a plush toy made with many limbs protruding everywhere.
Smudge explores an area that seems untouched – can a parent really love their child no matter what? Parents are expected to love their child unconditionally right off the bat. Usually parents are portrayed as all loving, and if the baby is defective, they rush to take care of it. With Cassandra, the baby becomes the enemy because she is different and because of her parents’ difficulty in loving and accepting her.
Playwright Rachel Axler (from The Daily Show and Parks and Recreation) shows the diverging sides of a possible reaction to such a tragic and unexpected situation. Smudge is a play that will make you think – what would you do in this situation?
HOW TO SEE THE SHOW: $20 general rush • thru Feb. 7 • Julia Miles Theater, 424 W. 55th St.
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3 comments:
You make a very good point. Also, I don't think this just applies to parents but with relationships in general: siblings, lovers, friends, realitives. What does "unconditional love" really entail? Physical appearances (and this is the most cliche idea of all time) bear absolutely NO refelction on what is truely inside. It doesn't tell whether a person is funny or smart or capable of love. So does it really matter? Sadly if we even have to ask that question- it does to some people. If a child, sister, boyfriend, or best friend suddenly turned into a one eyed creature tomorrow would we love them any less? If so is that proof that the relationship wasnt founded on unconditional love or is that just a result of human nature?
This sounds like a crazy show! But so interesting! Isn't it amazing how the shows that sound insane can be deep too? I'm very curious about this now.
Really, would anyone really be able to love their child if they were a literal monster? What is the definition of love and what makes something loveable?
I think this play is great for the reason that these questions are brought up and it makes you (or at least should make you) reevaluate yourself and your outlook on things and either change it, reinforce it, or, at the least, question it.
How WOULD you act towards someone so disfigured? Who are we to judge the person that acts so negatively to a "monster" of that sort? It is easy to put blame on them (the parents) when you were never in such a situation.
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