THE PINK UNICORN Shines Bright at SpeakEasy Stage in Boston — Review
In the pandemic-fueled virtual performance movement happening in theatre today, it can be extremely difficult to develop a relationship between actor and audience member. Plays that present such raw and emotional stories demand a live audience, as a humanistic element is lost when there is a screen between performer and spectator—at least, that is what I thought before seeing SpeakEasy Stage Company’s production of The Pink Unicorn.
The virtual play, written by Elise Forier Edie and directed by Boston favorite M. Bevin O’Gara, is structured as a virtual summit series, whereby different Christian parents or caregivers of an LGBTQIA child share their personal journey. The Pink Unicorn is the story of Trisha Lee, a Christian woman from Sparkton, TX. Trisha describes her journey towards supporting her child Jo’s coming out as genderqueer. A religious single mother living in a small conservative Texas town, Trisha describes both her internal struggle and the pushback she faces from the community as she fights for her child’s right to form a gay-straight alliance at school. Along the way, Trisha learns the importance of self-reflection, acceptance, and the true meaning of loving thy neighbor. The Pink Unicorn allows one to step out of their own worldview and learn the power that love and support can have on a child’s life.
Since the play is a one-woman show with no scene changes, cuts, or blackouts, The Pink Unicorn demands a strong female lead to play the titular character, Trisha Lee. The actress must be engaging at every moment of the show, especially when the message conveyed is as important as this one. Luckily, Stacy Fischer’s performance as Trisha Lee was absolutely incredible. Plays with a singular cast member can often feel overly structured and lack the necessary dynamics, but Fischer captivated from the second she started speaking. Her portrayal was raw, authentic, beautifully paced, and extremely captivating. Oftentimes I forgot I was watching a performance; rather, I felt like I was at Trisha Lee’s kitchen table, listening intently and even audibly reacting to some of the things she was saying. Fischer’s embodiment of the character perfectly complemented and highlighted Forier Edie’s incredible writing. The Pink Unicorn is written without highs and lows, as the entirety of the script is captivating and enthralling. The pacing for a show with such emotional material needs to be immaculately written, and Forier Edie excels at this daunting task.
Time and time again, I am reminded why SpeakEasy Stage Company is one of my favorites in Boston, and The Pink Unicorn is no exception.
“The Pink Unicorn” is streaming through March 18, 2021. For tickets and more information, visit: www.speakeasystage.com/
