South of Broadway Theatre Company Offer Up a Provocative Double Bill of Short Plays That Test Real Love & Relationships 

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment Writer

Just a week removed from Valentine's Day, South of Broadway Theatre Company present a live theatre double bill, that takes a hilarious and raunchy look at modern day dating. For your comic amusement SOBT offer up 'Speed Date' followed by Letters/X', with both short plays running at a feverish pace, all the while exposing the emotional roller coaster of finding love while the clock is ticking, as well as heartbreak couples face after real life breakups. 

Written by Janet Allard 'Speed Date' centers around 10 lonely losers, I mean lovers seemingly looking for love in the wrong place, with one circus performer just hoping to reconnect with a family member. As the group rotate from table to table it's clear they are emotionally unstable to be out in public, as some divulge they are obsessed with former lovers, their cats, or just to invested in themselves.

Will they make a love connection before the bell rings? Are two minute conversations enough of a window to determine moving forward? Only time will tell in this opening presentation that runs just under a half hour. Clearly a madcap romp for 30 minutes!

On the flipside of the dating scene, 'Letters/X', adapted for the stage by Anthony Roberts deals with chaotic post-relationship correspondence including text messages and voicemails. The play highlights the humor and heartache of contemporary romantic splits-ville, featuring 'real love, real breakups, and real letters'.

After a 15 minute intermission, a half dozen actors return, each taking center stage, spewing non-stop vitriol, primarily expounding on why they ended the relationship. Sadly however, some hold out hope they will get back together, so desperate to reconnect they continually send text messages well into the night.

Although not a musical, 'Letters/X' includes clever and amusing breakup songs sprinkled throughout the 75 minute production. Along the way the well placed ditties allow us to discover 'they just don't want to have sex with their ex', 'men just can't take a hint', and more importantly 'alcohol and hearsay just don't mix'. Will the sad sacks be able to move on?

Directed by Hanna Willis and produced by Mary Gould, South of Broadway Theatre assemble a group of thespians who bring unbridled lunacy to love and relationships. Everyone in the cast fully embrace their respective parts. Jocularity runs rampant for over two hours at the theatre.

Will the speed daters find their future ex? Will the exes find closure? SOBT invite theatre lovers to experience for themselves as this production runs weekends through March 1st. Primarily recommended for mature audiences, as language and suggestions imply it's rated R. For times, tickets and upcoming shows visit their website at https://www.southofbroadway.com/upcoming-shows