In a weekend filled with tricks and treats, Undermain opened a sublime treat with the newest from Erin Malone Turner. Turner is the first Dallas playwright to receive the Katherine Owens/Undermain Fund for New Work since its inception in 2022. The fund awards theater artists creating new stories for the stage. For her part, Turner delivered a beautiful romantic drama that sweeps across time. In this professional premiere of for the rest of our lives, Turner fuels this saga with intimate modulation.
The two-actor story depicts eight characters throughout time where Turner explores the concept of soulmates or love that lasts more than one lifetime. Two characters start the chain reaction and later versions always seem to find each other. But Turner doesn’t depict this with a saccharine quality found in rom-coms. Instead Turner hides nuanced, complex characters within simplicity. The story is straightforward while her characters are compelling and fully realized.
She (Zariyah Perry) perpetually has a strong sense of self and agency; He (Nathaniel Wooley III) challenges her with tender actions. They both seem to find a balance in each other across eras.
The play stayed away from romantic tropes both in its dialogue and direction by vickie washington. This gave the characters a relatable appeal. Perry’s delivery for each of her characters always centered on a keen likeability never undermined by weakness. Wooley’s portrayals centered on an endearing and earnest delivery.
Directed with a breezy touch by washington and delivered with off-the-charts chemistry by Perry and Wooley, for the rest of our lives unfurled with poetic ease for a lovely and satisfying epic.
The show runs through Nov. 22.
–Rich Lopez