REVIEW: The How and The Why

The How and The Why is an emotionally charged dramatic performance that draws from all aspects of a woman’s literal and figurative gut instincts (i.e., familial, professional, romantic, personal, and even biological).  The story focuses on two women meeting each other for the first time.  We see how they meet, but it’s not immediately clear why they are meeting.  After a few hints, it’s all laid out for the audience and you can feel the conflict between the two women’s emotions and their intellects.  Because both of the characters know next to nothing about each other, the audience is able to empathize with both women as their relationship develops, although it’s clear that neither is being completely honest with the other.

Only a few minutes into the show, I was impressed with both of the actors (Carolyn Kaiser and Molly Pach), as well as the style of the writing.  Writer Sarah Treem (Showtime’s The Affair, HBO’s In Treatment, and Netflix’s House of Cards) is able to breathe life into dialogue that connects on multiple levels. For being a play in a small, intimate theater, the scenes felt real. The characters felt real. The tension between them was palpable, but cut with moments of humor and genuine tenderness.  Unlike many plays I’ve seen, I couldn’t see the plot developments coming nor could I predict the punch lines.  This was incredibly refreshing.

The How and The Why is intense and thought provoking.  It’s clearly written by a modern woman with modern ideas, and if that sounds interesting to you, you won’t be disappointed.

Now playing at the New Century Theatre in Minneapolis through March 20, 2016. Tickets start at $10 for students and a limited number of discount tickets are also available via Goldstar.