SLICE OF LIFE NUMBER 99
nytheatre.com review by Pamela Liu
August 15, 2002
A mixture of media and music choices are
creatively put in use in Lindsay Newitter’s Slice of Life Number 99.
This lighthearted and quirky play depicts the daily routine of a sales
woman named Sabrina, who by day has a bland and very commercial job, one
that she seems to be happy enough having. But by night, Sabrina takes
out her subconscious frustrations by using the very product she sells to
destroy the things that represent beauty in her life.Not consciously aware of her dreams, Sabrina cleverly records herself. The idea of taping her dreams/nightmares is intriguing. But does she learn anything from her dream tapes?
I liked Newitter’s portrayal of Sabrina and wanted to root for her. I found myself wanting to find out more about what Sabrina was thinking, how she got into her current slice of life, and most importantly will she get to a good place by Number 99. The theme of career and love comes into play. But in the end, I found the message of this abstract play to be somewhat murky. Perhaps it begs the audience to ask these questions: What are the frustrations in your life? Do you acknowledge your frustrations? And finally, how do you work out your frustrations? I think Sabrina would like to know.
