Local writer and theatre maven, Ilana Jael, reviewed The Red String at The Orlando Fringe ArtSpace on November 20, 2024.
If you can manage to string together the few dollars you’ll need for a ticket, then prepare to be wowed by The Red String, a charming new musical playing for only one more weekend at Orlando’s Fringe ArtSpace. What starts out as a coming-of-age jaunt about one twenty-something’s quarter life crisis goes on to tell a captivating story about facing one’s fears to jump into love.
In the process, it also touches on some pretty big ideas about fate and destiny, as encapsulated in the proverbial “red string” referred to in the title. In the mind of main character Nessa Reilly, her own red string is firmly tied to an almost-lover from her past named George. Despite the fact that it has been seven years since she has last seen George at the show’s start, she continues to be haunted by mysterious dreams that seem to be telling her they are destined to meet again.
Unsatisfied in her love life and at a standstill in her writing career, Nessa finally gives in to these dreams and sets off to Europe in the hopes of finding him, with her faithful best friend Sami in tow. But when Sami gets fed up with Nessa’s obsession and separates from her friend, it is she who is led into a seemingly-fated meeting with a potential soulmate. While drowning her sorrows in a Berlin pub, Sami is “rescued” from a rowdy crowd by a beautiful British bartender named Erin, and their flirtation quickly blossoms into a full-blown romance.
Meanwhile, against all odds and thanks to a random twist of destiny, Nessa does somehow succeed in running into George. Without giving too much away, their reunion isn’t exactly the picture-perfect one she imagined—but it is one that is transformative for them both.
Shaken up and spurred into action by their encounter, Nessa comes back to the states inspired to give her life a total overhaul, starting with a move to Orlando that sets the scene for the show’s second act.
Freed from the idea that finding her dream guy will be the key to her happiness, she refocuses on her own dream of finding success as a writer. In doing so, she’s able to build a promising career and a fulfilling life for herself, becoming a part of a bustling creative community. But just when it seems she’s got it all figured out, another twist of the red string that connects her and George ends up altering her future forever.
It’s a story that hits on a few familiar rom-com notes, but the way it does so is wholly original and genuinely fresh. It was easy for me to connect to the show and its lovable, quirky characters, and it should be easy for most audience members to see themselves reflected in their universal concerns.
Giving The Red String much of its spark is its talented performers. Lern Morrison brings the needed depth and plenty of vivacity in her portrayal of the central character Nessa, whose journey is the show’s emotional throughline. Adam DelMedico, Carly Skubick-Clark, and Lena Feliciano also prove vital to the show’s success with their nuanced and vibrant portrayals of George, Sami, and Erin.
Billy Mick also gets a few scene-stealing moments as Nessa’s flamboyant “gay boyfriend” Charlie, and Lily E. Garnett creates a compelling and surprisingly sympathetic character in her romantic rival Greta. Austin Sultzbach shows off his range by bringing two minor characters to life with completely different energies, and the cast is rounded out by an ensemble that includes Brooke Light, John Devennie, Kimberly Luffman, and Franky Saavedra.
Though occasionally the pacing of the show faltered, there were far more high points than low points in its staging, score, and dialogue, which is especially impressive given that this piece is a world premiere. And while it seemed that the show was still working out some kinks as far as its technical elements—with a few minor audio glitches I noticed throughout—the design team ultimately succeeded in creating a great overall “vibe” for the piece. This inviting atmosphere extended even into the lobby, which was occupied by an eclectic group of community vendors and an art exhibit that echoed the show’s themes.
Hopefully, this production is only the beginning of the road for a work as promising and pleasing as The Red String, an earnest effort that clearly seemed to resonate with initial audience members. In the meantime, I would encourage any adventurous Orlando theatregoers to make checking out this new musical a priority—especially given that it’s one of their last chances to check out Artspace itself. This project perfectly reflects Artspace’s defining mission and values, making it a perfect occasion to celebrate everything it has offered to our community over the past few years.
The Red String will run from Thursday, November 21 through Sunday, November 24.
The show runs 2 hours, 35 minutes with a 15 minute intermission. Recommended for Ages 13 & Up for Adult Language and Sexual Content.
Cast & Crew
- Written by Amanda Scheirer & Dan Drnach
- Director: Amanda Scheirer
- Music Director: Dan Drnach
- Intimacy Director: Tanya Wheelock
- Choreographer: Rhe’a Hughes
- Stage Manager: Natasha Junkermeier
- Lern Morrison …………………………… NESSA
- Carly Skubick-Clark ………………….. SAMI
- Adam DelMedico ……………………… GEORGE
- Lena Feliciano …………………………. ERIN
- Billy Mick …………………………………. CHARLIE
- Lily E. Garnett ………………………….. GRETA
- Austin Sultzbach ………………………. ANSEL/LOGAN
- Brooke Light …………………………….. ENSEMBLE
- John Devennie …………………………. ENSEMBLE
- Kimberly Luffman ……………………… ENSEMBLE
- Franky Saavedra ………………………. ENSEMBLE