Hazardous Materials
Produced by Perisphere Theatre Written by Beth Kander Director: Lizzi Albert
Assistant Director/ASM: Anthony De Souza
Stage Manager: Holly Morgan
Scenic Designer: Jessica Trementozzi
Costume Design: Jessica Utz
Lighting Design: Hailey LaRoe
Sound Designer: Cheryl J. Williams
Props Designer: Liz Long
*Photos by DJ Corey Photography
In 1955, Esther and Lynley, two war widows with very different backgrounds form a relationship that runs afoul of the racial and sexual attitudes of the time and puts them in danger. In 2015, county employees Cassie and Hal, who harbor secrets of their own, inspect the apartment to try to determine the identity of the hoarder Jane Doe who recently died there. In scenes that alternate between the two eras, the history of the apartment and its occupants is slowly revealed.
An intricate history play about the hidden truths in a person’s life and how what we leave behind does or doesn’t reveal those truths. This play takes place between two time period, 1955 and 2015, in the same chicago appartment. The show examins the nature of secrets, freedom, and what it can mean to be true to yourself.
Reviews
“The scenes alternate seamlessly between the two eras and sides of the stage thanks to an incredible scenic design by Jessica Trementozzi, lighting by Hailey LaRoe, sound design by Cheryl J. Williams, and the never-ending efforts of Liz Long to handle the voluminous props.”
“With some help from Hailey LaRoe’s lighting design and Liz Long’s prop design, the contrasting nature of these settings is made all too appreciable. Under Lizzi Albert’s smart direction, the two sides to this story coalesce beautifully”