The Shelter

Dark Horse Theatre—School of Contemporary Dancers

Everyone has a story, as The Shelter takes pains to reiterate. Sometimes those stories are a bit two dimensional and idealistic, but even so, the message of empathy towards the unhoused and the direct financial support the company is helping provide by putting on this production helps make up for that.

The primary focus is the conversation between Joyce, lost downtown after a horrible first and last day at a new job, and Paul, a self described student of human nature residing in the bus shelter Joyce is waiting in. Around them are a cast of characters with not a lot of screen time or defining characteristic outside of “asshole”, “addict” or “grump”, but they don’t steal too much of the focus away from that core duo. While Paul himself might be a bit too squeaky clean and pure hearted despite his rough appearance and conditions, his performance definitely makes the show.

If the idea of seeing a show also representing an automatic donation to Main Street Project sounds appealing, this is definitely a great one to check out

Josh Fidelak