Reviewed by Tracey Paleo, Gia On The Move

Ooh you make me live
Whatever this world can give to me
It’s you you’re all I see
Ooh you make me live now honey
Ooh you make me live
Ooh you’re the best friend that I ever had
I’ve been with you such a long time
You’re my sunshine and I want you to know
That my feelings are true
I really love you
Oh you’re my best friend

I just couldn’t get the song (by famed rock band Queen) out of my head, departing from the Lounge Theatre after experiencing Matt Morillo’s, Katy and Jennifer.

Donna Simone Johnson as Katy, and Liesel Kopp as Jennifer, tear through this production with a ferocity that makes one truly understand the meaning of friendship, possibly the meaning of life. For what is more important in life than love and friends?

It is the day of Katy’s son’s funeral. An 8-year-old, killed in a tragic car accident. But Katy cannot face the crowd and lingers in deep sorrow and guilt in the waiting room. As the hour turns, Jennifer consoles her friend and tries to put the future into perspective for the both of them, finally convincing Katy to walk through the door of the waiting room to face the inevitable. But really, they will face the future together, side by side.

Johnson and Kopp handle the text with ease as they dole out the clues that are written one by one into Morillo’s script, drawn beautifully on stage by Reena Dutt’s direction. Both actresses have a genuine sensibility that keeps steady what could otherwise, easily become a sentimentally indulgent trap.

Endearing and heartbreaking.

Recommended

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