In the stark darkness, 16 actors align themselves in front of the stage, and dim light appears. A surreal scene occurs. They sing – accapello – an unknown song. But wait! This isn’t a musical!
The actors disappear in the darkness, and the stage appears, which is simple. Four card tables, with four chairs each and a colander full of the same vegetables on each. The lighting reflects red, yellow, blue and green – one color shines on each of the tables. The one act play now starts.
At each table are a mother and a teen-aged daughter. The dialog begins.
The moms simultaneously tell them they need to do their chores before leaving the house. The daughters simultaneously rebel, yet keep working at their chore.
All four families are from different countries of the world. When one actor talked – in whatever language – the other three tables of actors playing the same role mouthed the words.
Each daughter has a best friend, and they simultaneously show up, extolling both the mom and the daughter, ‘it’s okay to do the chore later’. All mothers disagree, and the friend of each leaves to find the boyfriend of their best friend. The mothers all disappear off stage, leaving their daughter at the table, alone.
Four identically-well-dressed men appear, with briefcases. Each has a proposition for their “client”:
Here is $20,000, no questions asked. The caveat? Someone in the world will die – but no one you know.
The daughters individually and simultaneously have consternation. Each decides to take the offer, and the well-dressed men disappear.
The moms come back, as do the friends. All four daughters die. Fearful Symmetry.
Welcome to
CHOICES