By Mahnoosh Arsalan
Staff Writer
Love can be frightening, fleeting, long-lasting and painful. Its many nuances are what make it so palpable and desirous. Whether it be through friendship or a significant other, it’s never easy.
TCNJ’s All College Theatre hit the mark in their production of “Significant Other,” originally written by Joshua Harmon. What started as an Off-Broadway production in 2015 soon became a Broadway show in 2017, eventually finding its way to our lovely little campus.
The story follows Jordan Berman navigating his love life as his three best friends each find love and get married, leaving him behind. Berman struggles with identity, family, friendship and self- worth in the 75-minute duration of the show, allowing audiences to enter his mind and wallow with him.
Aidan Hulse, a senior mathematics secondary education major, portrays Berman with grace and authenticity. His presentation of Berman felt so real, taking the audience along his journey. This role was impressive, with monologue memorization, physical acting and raw emotion, Hulse deserves praise for this character examination.
Berman’s sense of loneliness grows deeper throughout the play and is related with his grandmother, Helene Berman, portrayed by Kathryn Wyrovski, a sophomore English major. As Helene tells tales of her own struggle with life and love, Berman’s life begins to mirror hers.
Wyrovski portrayed Helene excellently, with every piece of advice she gave Berman and every ominous comment made on her own existence, she embodied the role. In the second act, Helene tells Berman “it’s a long book, you’re in a tough chapter,” a powerful line that acts as a motivator and a movement.
Berman’s three best friends were Laura, played by sophomore inclusive early childhood education and psychology dual major Denae Johnson, Vanessa, played by senior communication studies major Liv Ayala, and Kiki, played by Sarah Borrellio, also a senior communication studies major.
Laura, Vanessa and Kiki experienced their fair share of love in the play, creating an exclusive environment for Berman to not be a part of. Laura, Berman’s best friend, is a very complex character. While Kiki shows unwavering support for Berman, and Vanessa continuously remains honest with him, Laura is a mix of the two extremes. It was really interesting to see their close friendship play out and almost devolve, reminding audiences that romantic relationships aren’t the only relationships in life that need nourishment and attention.
Ayala portrayed Vanessa as tough and honest, making her a very interesting actress and character to observe and analyze. Borrellio’s performance of Kiki was vibrant and full of life, making her fun to watch and even giving the audience a break from the sadness. Johnson’s representation of Laura felt very personal and veritable, a genuine friend to Berman.
Travis Martin, a sophomore English secondary education major, David Amorosi, a junior English secondary education major and Andy Cusimano, a freshman English major, each played two characters.
Martin portrayed Evan, a coworker and potential love interest to Berman, and Roger, a love interest to Vanessa. Martin’s portrayal of Evan was excellent and extremely humorous, making the audience belly laugh every time he appeared on stage.
Amorosi portrayed Zach, a potential love interest to Berman, and Tony, Laura’s love interest. Amorosi and Hulse had great chemistry, as their relationship was extremely convincing.
Cusimano played Will, Berman’s office crush, and Conrad, Kiki’s husband. Will and Berman’s time together was cut very short, it would have been interesting to see how the two played out together, if at all. With the extremely realistic nature of the show, it makes sense for Will and Berman to end as they were, but Cusimano’s performance left room for the character to be explored further.
There were two things that stood out in this show: the humor and the lighting. “Significant Other” is funny, with incredible lines thrown around that got a rise out of the audience. Additionally, the lighting was extremely impressive, especially when Will and Berman go to the movies together. That noteworthy lighting work deserves the utmost praise.
ACT’s portrayal of “Significant Other” stands as a great late-coming-of-age for students to perceive. Audiences can see themselves in each character, relatability being an evident theme of the show. Each actor approached their characters with grace and dedication, making the show even more enjoyable. When watching someone pursue what they truly love, it’s bound to be a dazzling sight to see.
