Life is full of choices; mundane choices you make every day,
once in a lifetime choices, choices you do not think are important at the time,
but every choice you make has an impact on your life. Sure, whether or not you get an iced or hot
coffee in the morning probably will not change your life, but perhaps stopping
at a certain coffee cart may introduce you to the love of your life, and that
is a choice.
I am a firm believer that all choices, no matter how small, have
the potential to have a life changing effect on your life. For that reason, I try to go with my gut at
all times. However, the thing that
upsets me is that you never really know what would happen if you chose the
other path. Is there an alternate
universe where you made a left instead of a right and your life is completely
different?
Well, that may seem a little too crazy for most people’s
thoughts, but the writers of Idina Menzel’s new play If/Then seem to have taken my train of thought. In an attempt to
try new things, my writer friend Terri Ann[1]
and I went to see this new play. Terri
was the first person who introduced me to the show, and after we purchased our
tickets I started seeing a lot of commercials for it on New York 1. First off, you
would never be able to tell this show was just in its preview stage, the
theater was jam packed with chatty theater goers eager for the show to commence. Sitting in our seats waiting, I took a look
around at the packed theater, and the stage.
The set was different; a modest urban setting with several movable
pieces, but it was perfect for the play.
For those of you unfamiliar with If/Then and why I opened this piece with choices, I will give you
some background. The show revolves
around Idina Menzel’s main character, Elizabeth, who just moved to the city to
start a new life for herself. The
opening scene Elizabeth meets two friends in a park, new friend Kate, and old
friend Lucas. Both of these friends have
completely different personalities, Kate being the carefree kindergarten
teacher, and Lucas being the self-righteous activist. Meeting these friends right off the bat gives
Elizabeth two choices, does she go with Kate and become Liz, a lighthearted soul who follows love over her career, or does
she go with Lucas and become practical Beth,
a go-getter who puts her career and ambitions first?
What I liked most about this play is that it jumped right
into the meat of the story within the first five minutes. Idina’s character was given two choices,
which may not seem like huge life-altering choices, but as the play continues
it is revealed how much that first choice changed her life. The play unravels in two tandem storylines, showing
how her life would play out with either decision she made. Because the story lines are going on at the
same time, and she often switches from ‘Liz’ to ‘Beth’ in a moment’s notice,
you may think it would be a little hard to follow, but I did not find that to
be the case. I did, however, find that
it was hard to focus as there were so many fluid parts of the story going on,
but it was easy to differentiate between the two lives she was living.
This play hit very close to both me and Terri Ann, as I am
sure many others in the audience. It was
very realistic, relatable, and it is the second play ever to move me to tears
[literally!] If/Then was not only extremely interesting, but the storyline had
so many unexpected twists and turns, it kept my full attention for the play’s
entirety. If you are going through a quarter
life crisis, looking for a good date night play, or just something different to
do, I strongly suggest going to see If/Then. Fantastic storyline, great soundtrack, and
perfect execution, If/Then is the
play to go see this spring. Trust me,
you will not be disappointed.
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