As I’ve said many times I love when a theatrical company takes a risk- when they try something new to me or put on a show less commonly performed in this area. So I was intrigued when Sentinel Theatre invited me to come take a look at a play I’d never heard of entitled Circle Mirror Transformation. While in the end, I didn’t love the play I appreciate the swing and see value in much of what the production has to offer.

When I first heard the title I thought it must be some kind of trippy scifi piece but in reality Circle Mirror Transformation is a play about the communities we form every day and how they can impact our lives. These communities can form from a variety of interactions. It could be people gathering for a political rally or a book club, or in this case taking an acting class, but whatever it might be these relationships add value to our lives.

At Sentinel (performed at The Hive Collaborative in Provo) the ensemble is the greatest strength for the production. All 5 actors have chemistry together and are giving good performances for the roles they have. I particularly enjoyed Dani Klappoth as the new age class leader Marty and Wayne Keller III as the neurotic student Schultz.

My problem with Circle Mirror Transformation is unfortunately Annie Baker’s inauthentic script. We are given to believe these 5 people only interact at this weekly class and yet they can present obscure details about each other like what one class member calls her Grandma or what their childhood bedroom looked like. I’ve known people for decades that I could introduce less fully than the characters are able to do here after just a few hours together at a weekly class (2 of the characters are married so that relationship is probably the most convincing.)

I can see how this material might have worked better as a one act or short play but at nearly 2 hours it feels repetitive and tough to engage with. Baker’s script could have also brought in more humor- poking more fun at the silliness of these dramatic exercises and attempts at achieving mental clarity. The closest we get is the youngest class member Lauren getting frustrated with the lack of actual acting going on (I would be frustrated too!)

Fortunately the team at Sentinel does what they can with the material, and like I said, I’m always glad to see something that’s new to me. Circle Mirror Transformation is playing through November 22nd and tickets can be purchase here.

Circle Mirror Transformation is a play by Annie Baker and it opened Off-Broadway in 2009 where it won an Obie Award for Best New American Play

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