As I write this, it’s the 17-year anniversary of the first iPhone. At the risk of being called a Luddite or, God forbid, old fashioned, I confess to a bit of fear surrounding scientific advancement. Look, I’m no science denier, but I worry about what smartphones have done to us as a species. Plus, AI, specifically, scares the bejesus out of me. Suddenly it’s everywhere, masquerading as people and places, in our writing and our art. And I find myself wrestling with this question: At what point does scientific advancement cause us to lose our humanity? How far is too far?
So now is an excellent time to really dig into those questions. By and By, the latest production by Restless Artists Theatre (RAT) in Sparks, is a fascinating sci-fi exploration of the juncture between science and humanity, and what disasters could happen when that line is crossed.
Don’t expect spacecraft, robots or aliens, though. It’s written by Lauren Gunderson, the most-produced living playwright in America, who is known for her stories about relationships and retellings of historical moments and works of fiction. Like her other works, By and By is sensitive and heartfelt and deeply human. There’s no high-tech machinery, no fancy light shows; the set and costumes are minimalist, the cast small. As Director Doug Mishler explained, RAT is presenting the world premiere; the play was never published. Mishler had seen a draft through New Play Exchange and was so taken with the story that he requested—and was granted— licensing rights directly through the playwright herself.
Describing the premise of this short (90 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission) play is somewhat difficult, however. The revelations and intrigue the audience will experience once the lights dim are extraordinarily powerful, but only if they enter without knowing what to expect. So, without spoiling it for you, I’ll proceed delicately.
Denise (played by Serenity La Vanway) is 18 years old and has just discovered from her dad, Dr. Steven Booth (Serenity’s real-life father, Layne La Vanway), where she came from—specifically how she came to be. She’s left reeling, dismayed, fearful and full of questions she’s not sure she wants the answers to. Her scientist father is not who she thought he was, and both her past and future are called into question. And now, a team of scientists are chasing the Booths in the hopes of probing them for some important scientific research.
Fleeing from the scientists, angry at having been kept in the dark for so long and in search of some answers of her own, Denise runs away. Her journey leads her to encounters with others who share her background, institutions involved in her past and relatives who can shed some light on her birth and the mystery of her long-dead mother.
Steven begins following her footsteps, with guidance from an unexpected companion, and has the same encounters as Denise. Ultimately, they force him to reckon with his actions and their fallout, then find a way to take accountability.
Supporting the La Vanways on stage are Kathy Welch and Jonathan Gastello, playing multiple roles, including as a sort of Greek chorus of scientists who provide objective, enlightening details about the science in question and the issues it raises, all while we see the very human, emotional toll it has taken on the Booths.
In the end, I was moved almost to tears and left wrestling with this question: What would I have done? I’m still not sure. It’s a question worth spending 90 minutes to ponder yourself.
The sci-fi thriller By and By makes its worldwide debut at Restless Artists Theatre, 295 20th St., in Sparks Jan 10-20. Tickets are $20 online or $25 at the door. For tickets and additional details, visit rattheatre.com.