hang at Second Thought Theatre
“hang,” written by debbie tucker green (intentionally in lowercase), is a play about a woman who must decide the fate of the man who committed a crime against her and her family after 2.5 years. Second Thought Theatre’s interpretation, directed by Sasha Maya Ada, infuses a murder mystery highlighting the conflict between the characters' values and the need to follow protocol to keep their jobs.
I must start by saying that I genuinely want everyone to see this play, so I’ll do my best to avoid any spoilers. This story keeps you on the edge of your seat, making you want to pay attention at all times so you don't miss a single clue. It’s not explicit; it’s deep, heavy, and full of conflict, making you want to piece together your own detective board to figure out precisely what happened. At certain moments, you’ll find yourself gasping aloud with the rest of the audience as more secrets are revealed. The cast and crew make you feel respected, never underestimated, and uncomfortable in an exhilarating way.
We sit down, and the first thing we notice is the space: Conference room 407. Blinds on both sides, a table at the center, a water cooler, and a few drawers. The colors are cold and uninviting; one of the blinds is bent, and a box of tissue paper sits ready on a drawer (a sign that these people are used to watching others cry). A single light above the table gives the impression that someone is about to be interrogated. Mya C. Cockrell’s scenic design makes it clear that this is not a comfortable space, which enhances our empathy for the victim throughout the play.
At the beginning, we see One (Shannon J. McGrann) and Two (Kristen Lazarchick) guiding Three (M. Denise Lee) into the conference room. One and Two seem eager to make Three as comfortable as possible, but their overwhelming enthusiasm contrasts sharply with the obvious discomfort and distress that Three is experiencing.
Although their approaches are distinct, McGrann and Lazarchick each bring a similar objective to their characters, creating an incredible balance in their dynamic. In One, we see someone with more experience handling these situations. Although the subject matter is difficult, McGrann shows us that One has developed a certain emotional resilience, particularly evident when she discreetly turns away to wipe a tear. Her status and job are clearly important to her. In contrast, Two has yet to develop this emotional resilience. She's more empathetic than One but has less experience. Lazarchick portrays a constant sense of worry in Two, evident through her hurried, almost desperate movements, facial expressions, and tense posture when she sits down. However, their commitment to following the protocol in handling the situation is clear in both One and Two. Despite the evident conflict with their morals, values, or empathy, they both prioritize keeping their jobs.
And then there is Three, who wasn’t just a victim of a crime 2.5 years ago but has continued to endure the emotional, physical, mental, and situational consequences ever since. Lee meticulously develops Three’s character, paying close attention to details. We see this in her constant trembling, which only ceases when her anger rises, expressed through sharp hand movements. Even the small act of carefully writing down the numbers she’s instructed to, rather than just scribbling, adds depth. Lee respects the audience, offering subtle nuances that make her character fully realized.
Sasha Maya Ada’s direction maintains a consistent tension that immerses us for an hour and a half. The emotions in this play are so intense that it’s a relief to see the actors’ joy after the show. Ada clearly creates a safe space for the performers, preventing them from becoming overwhelmed by the weight of the story.
Roma Flowers' lighting design and Cresent R. Haynes' sound design added significant depth to the story. I can only describe the experience as akin to a panic attack. I wanted someone to hug me and whisk me away, yet I also felt compelled to stay and appreciate this meticulously crafted art. The sounds of people celebrating outside the conference room while Three deals with two individuals who prioritize the feelings of the criminal over her own is heartbreaking. As the atmosphere darkened and a high-pitched sound filled the air, I felt an uneasy tension. All these external stimuli heightened my empathy for Three.
“hang” is an amazing story, truly. Although I'm not accustomed to this type of play, I fell in love with it by the end. So many thoughts flooded my mind: Why are their names listed in that order? Is it the order of appearance, or does it reflect the priority assigned by the system? I would definitely return to see it a second or even third time; I want to catch more details and add additional clues to my imaginary board. After everything wrapped up and I was going home, I wrote to my mentor back in Colombia because he needed to know about this experience. I hope to see this story being told back home as well.
RUNNING: Through Nov 2, 2024
VENUE: Second Thought Theatre, 3400 Blackburn St, Dallas, TX 75219