This past Friday and Saturday I decided to take in my third and fourth viewing of Flipside because quite frankly, once just wasn’t enough.  Friday generated a good turnout, especially since several exciting events were taking place in Hartford that evening. Friday’s crowd proved to be really receptive to the play! A few performance and audience notes: Per usual, Bo’s wormhole diatribe, the Jesus Christ, Superstar interlude, the “beige” conversation between Bo and Nick (come out to see the play for clarification) and Julia’s frazzled, middle-aged drug mule character generated the most chuckles and laughs.  The showdown between Nick and Bo caused the most tension amongst the audience members, it’s that intense. While Friday night’s crowd was definitely great, Saturday’s audience was beyond stellar!  HartBeat Ensemble performed to a packed house! Oh yes! This humble blogger had a view from the very back this time … which proved to be an interesting vantage point. I got a better scope of the audience, and found them to be the most receptive of the attendees I’ve studied thus far. Hearing feedback made for an even pleasant theater experience.

Taneisha Duggan’s voice seemed more emotive during the “Bad Mother” song, actor Brian Jennings’s turn as Nick the undercover Narcotics agent seemed deliciously more fervent (not to mention he added a bit more swagger to his cigarette flinging), and Cindy Martinez’s character and time transitions were even more fluid. The audience definitely seemed capable of keeping up with the sudden shifts between time-periods, key players, and situations. The character of Ramon Delgado (played by Cindy) kept the audience on the edge of their seats, for the drug dealer’s imminent fate generated a heavy-hearted, collective sigh throughout the performance space. During Cindy’s spoken-word, someone  offered up an appreciative “Mmmm!” during the prose’s most decisive moment…  Also, I’d be remiss if I did not mention how brilliantly Julia improvised while in character as the middle-aged drug mule, when her slip of paper prop went M.I.A.

My sister and 18-year-old niece attended the performance and offered up some interesting feedback. Both wished there was a soundtrack for purchase, because they enjoyed Flipside‘s original music. “I got choked up towards the end… and during the actress’s spoken-word. She’s a beast with the poetry! I think my husband would enjoy this play. I may come back with him.  Everyone knows someone who has been in a similar situation. That’s why this play rings true,” my sister opined. Although I’m not supposed to say anything; the following day, I caught the same said sister mimicking the Voguing choreography from the play… Oh.