Static Apnea

Static Apnea can boast a pretty high production value, especially considering the zero-dollar price tag, current restrictions on proximity, and efforts that must be taken, not only to keep attendees safe, but to make us feel safe. Throughout the short performance, I didn’t perceive any risk of infection, and given the intimacy of the space, it’s impossible to not feel engaged with the actor on the opposite side of the glass.

The delivery was flawless, accompanied by an ambiance of mood-setting lighting and enveloping sound.

The script itself is somewhat intriguing, but my mind did wander a bit from the monologue to my surroundings and the physical presence of the person before me. The ending was so anticlimactic that it actually passed me by, leaving me face to face with the performer in awkward silence for longer than it takes the G Train to arrive.

In a pre-COVID world, I wouldn’t recommend a special trip to Cobble Hill just for this short piece, although a few minutes checking out the exhibit by Steven and William Ladd in the adjoining galleries of the Invisible Dog Art Center certainly add value to the experience.

That said, we're no longer in a pre-COVID world and there aren’t many choices right now for those of us jonesing for live theatre. So for the mere opportunity to scratch that itch at no cost or significant risk, I do whole-heartedly recommend Static Apnea. You might not be amazed, but you won’t be disappointed.