Remembering A Life
by Jim Murchison
Brian Fidler plays Will. A small box of his late grandfather's things is the foundation of memories of a wonderful man whose mind has eroded by the onset of Alzheimers. How does a boy handle the frustration, fear and anger of someone he loves who is losing his cognitive function? When does he first realize that he's not just being crabby but is actually losing who he is?
Broken isn't just a Title
by Jason Booker
Sadly, what sounds like a good idea in the program guide comes off as a bit dull in the therapy session called Broken.
Telling the story of his photographer grandfather's descent into Alzheimer's Disease, Brian Fidler - the show's performer and author (sic) - creates an unfocused montage of direct address, memory, flashback and storytelling to create a piece that is relatable but not particularly theatrical or well performed.
Why the performer/writer conceals his real-life identity (Brian Fidler) behind the persona of 11-year-old William is never made clear, as the play negotiates the difference between reality and recreation. He claims that certain props did belong to his grandfather and that others are stand-ins - a claim that calls into question the authenticity of the entire show.
