A Panacea for the Floundering
By Alix Cohen
The near? future. Population growth is bleeding earth’s resources. With AI rampant, employment is an issue. People haven’t been coping well for years. In response, our omnipotent government has outlawed antidepressants and therapists in favor of The Bliss Option.
Lost? Depressed? Feeling unseen, unappreciated, unloved? How would you like to spend the rest of life in a passive state where all your dreams come true? You can play piano like Vladimir Horowitz or Fats Waller, rise to the celebrated best at a sport, act like Meryl Streep, sing like Maria Callas or Janis Joplin, climb Mt. Everest, become a Casanova, and probably fly.
No fantasy is denied. All are accessible, tailored to your imagination. There will be no objections, no put-downs, no failure. Sound good?
The solution involves climbing into an adjusted cryonic pod and remaining the rest of your life. Oxygen and food (tubes) maintain body and brain. Entire cities of pods are built like wedding cakes, layer upon layer, taking up little space.
Dave (Eric Percival) has been ordered to an office on the top floor of the Department of Health and Well Being. He’s lost his job. The wife and kids are unwilling to scale down and blame him. Options are few and humiliating for a middle aged man without marketing skills, overt charm or money.
A film shows Hallmark images of peace and beauty scrolled to classical music. “Every day the choice is yours.”
Most people are so beaten down they voluntarily choose The Bliss Option and readily sign. Dave is resistant. Functionary Stoddard (Mary Murphy) only deals with difficult cases. It’s up to her to convince him. A bylaw dictates no one can be made to agree under duress.
Over the course of an extremely clever, argumentative interview, Stoddard inadvertently reveals glimpses of outside-office personal feelings. Unusual options are discussed. Will he or won’t he?
The Bliss Option is a two-hander that requires real listening. What makes life worth living is not a small question. Stoddard believes deeply that she’s providing a needed service. Her job is her life. Dave represents humanity looking for hope like a truffle pig. He can’t see what’s ahead, but increasingly values what he’s leaving behind.
I can’t praise Eric Percival enough. The subtlety and timing of his performance is so sympathetic, so believable, one forgets the outrageous premise. Expressions are priceless.
Mary Murphy’s Stoddard is bright and officious until surprised by the crack in her own veneer. We accept who she is as an administrator, ploys are well written and executed. Vulnerability arrives less credible.
The play is intriguing, dialogue adroit. ‘Love the idea of a prop room. (You’ll just have to see it)
Co-directors playwright Andrew R. Heinze and Eva Minemar offer fitting small stage business and enough variation in overall action to hold attention in the one-room.
Christina Shrewsbury’s Set is antiseptic and minimal, perfectly apt for the office and function at hand. Art – illustrations of entire cities in a single building- is marvelous.
Sound/Projection Design (George Port) features soothing, well chosen images, voice-over, and music meant to entice.
Photos by Bjorn Bolinder
The American Renaissance Theater Company presents
The Bliss Option by Andrew R. Heinze
Co-Directed by Eva Minemar
Through October 12th, 2025
Chain Theatre 312 West 36th Street
https://www.artcnyc.org/
