What's in "Other People's Houses?"

The Matthews Acting Studio at 185 Nassau St. is covered in chalk. Colorful letters label commonplace locations and objects such as a bedroom and "underground pipes," and, as you step over the chalk signs into the intimate theater, you become a part of the story. This is the setting for "Other People's Houses (and the Stuff Inside)," a senior thesis production written and directed by Shawn Fennell '10.

"Other People's Houses" follows Stuart and Stuart, a modern-day widower and his son, who move to a dreary suburb of Des Moines, Iowa. Forced into dealing with them and their grief are neighbors Josephine and Sammi, a quintessential small-town mother and daughter. The 70-minute play takes us through the initial interactions between these four characters, as the two Stuarts learn that they need to get some help. Amid these often-awkward exchanges, objects from the set chime in with commentary and random musings. Yes, the scenery talks.

If Stuart and Stuart don't keep you entertained during the dawdling opening, these non-human characters will. Professional set and costume designer Anya Klepikov found a way to brilliantly integrate them into the scenery, and the actors in several of these roles are the play's standouts. Lindsey Rose Aguero-Sinclair '13 is charismatic, if precocious, in her portrayal of the Sidewalk, and Gary Fox '13 is endearing and loveable as the Rusted Swing Set. Nevertheless, Olivia Garard '13 gives the most engaging performance as the Underground Pipes. Lying on her stomach throughout the entire play, she interprets dreams by decoding "sonic tones" caused by vibrations transmitted through the human characters' heads while they are sleeping. Garard is charming and funny, and it will be exciting to see what this freshman can do with roles that allow her to stand upright.

Happily, as the play progresses, the human action becomes more compelling as well. Daniel Rattner '13 and Ariel Sibert '12, in the roles of Stuart Jr. and Sammi, respectively, start off as tiresome, stuck-in-the-mud 16-year-olds. But as time goes on, they make it easy to get wrapped up in their characters' quirky, teenage chemistry. Noah Freedman '12 seems slightly strained in his portrayal of Stuart Sr., but Rashmi Trivedi '11, as the neighbor Josephine, gives their interactions life. Particularly moving is their second exchange, during which Josephine describes how "everyone wants to find the thing they want to do." It's a relatable sentiment.

But sadly, as the human elements of the play become more interesting, the non-human elements become more confusing. The talking objects philosophize, and while this is intriguing, their musings seem to have nothing to do with the story. On top of this, their lines are often accompanied by music, performed on trumpet, violin and acoustic guitar by the Birds: Ryan Serrano '12, Donna Park '12 and Peter Walkingshaw '10. Though this adds an intriguing, ambient dimension to the play, at times it made it difficult to have any idea what the objects were saying. It was also practically impossible to understand Walkingshaw when he stepped out of his role as Bird for a rock-and-roll solo in the character of the Refrigerator. Nevertheless, comprehension issues did not seem to stop the audience from cheering for this musical number, which was reminiscent of the vintage Disney World attraction Food Rocks.

In the end, when the objects have quieted and the characters have returned to their own homes, Stuart and Stuart are left in a cliche embrace, looking up at a full moon that happens to take the form of a very large penny. It's sappy and confusing, but endearing nonetheless. This could be said of much of the play, and though I was left slightly unsatisfied, I'm glad to have gone on this little journey. Come on - it's not every day you get to see a talking fridge.

3 Paws

Pros Unique set, intriguing premise and characters.