DANIEL JOHN KELLEY

So…I went last week and saw two of the three shows I said I was going to see (missed “John and Greg’s High School Reunion”, alas!)

Tonight, I’m off to review my last show of the Fringe- one of only 10 not reviewed by nytheatre.com so far! Can you guess which one? I can. Because I know where I’m going. Tonight, that is. Not generally.

However, one of the shows I saw this weekend was:

Viral- As with his last work, Universal Robots, I was floored by Mac Rogers’ latest work- the eminently  produceable Viral (producers take note…it’s five people in a room. That’s what you want, yes?). Viral is about a group of friends who are sexually attracted to watching people peacefully pass into death, and the woman who comes to them to die, and have them film it. Like James Comtois’ Infectious Opportunity, Viral takes this horrifying subject matter and delves into the real human reasons behind why people would do this thing. One of the more brilliant touches of the play is the fact that we never learn why this woman wants to kill herself. There are hints and cryptic allusions- but ultimately this play is not about this woman’s pain, but these people who come together out of a common obsession- and are made to deal with what happens when their obsession is placed in front of them and made human.

Let’s just say I cried at the end. Okay? Okay.

If you read this between now and 9:45PM tonight, Viral has one last show. Go and see it. You will not regret that I sent you. I promise.