by David Gardiner & Ralf Remshardt
September 23, 2010
Jobsite Theater
Tampa, FL
What do you dream about?
Based on the international bestselling novel by Alan Lightman, Einstein’s Dreams follows a succession of dreams catalogued by a young Albert Einstein as he develops the theory of relativity. Einstein considers many different theories such as time standing still, the possibility of simultaneous time and the butterfly effect. Each one of these dreams helps shape a theory of time and space over the course of weeks and months.
In a refreshing change of pace, the cast of Einstein’s Dreams presents the exposition as a true ensemble cast. Not one cast member overshadows another and each have a scene where they play Einstein or a character in his dream. Kudos to Patrick Bolger, Nic Carter, Katie Castonguay, Slake Counts, Tia Jemison, Greg Milton, Jessy Quinones, Nicole Jeanine Smith and Katrina Stevenson for their contributions to the wonderfully executed production.
With such an interesting concept as the dreams of arguably the most brilliant thinker of the 20th century, the play lacks consistent story structure. The plays jumps from dream scene to dream scene with little connection or cohesiveness. The play delves into the metaphysical and existential and seems to almost make a point but leaves audiences with more questions as it transitions to another scene. After much consideration, the play follows the same pattern of lurid dreaming. As we jump into the dream halfway through, by the time we realize what is going on and attempt to make a judgement, the dream is over.
All in all, I wasn't thrilled with the play as a whole. I was extremely pleased with some of the ideas presented in the play, and the acting is as good, if not better than other Jobsite productions I've witnessed; even with everything mentioned, there was a disconnect between the play on paper and the performance. If you want to see an ensemble cast firing on all cylinders with overlapping dialogue and physical demand, then you can appreciate this production. I am fully aware of the caliber that Jobsite Theater presented and this did not reach the mark.
Einstein's Dreams runs through October 10th and has extended it's run to accomodate demand. For more information on the production and Jobsite Theater, please click here. Don't forget to follow us on twitter for the latest on performing arts in the Tampa Bay area.
Music of the Post - death cab for cutie
