How's this for a story premise: On March 12, 2020, four young Chicago artists decide that since entertainment in the city has been shut down temporarily because of the "pandemic" (whatever that is), they will swear an "accountability pact" to abstain from social media, recreational substances, hookups, and other frivolous distractions to instead focus on creative projects too long postponed, and by doing so, emerge improved when the social whirl resumes in....oh, three weeks, maybe. Their skeptical peers are wary of this lofty pledge ("Those dumbasses are gonna start a podcast, aren't they?") particularly since Saint Patrick's Day is fast approaching, and aren't small groups of ten or less still allowed to congregate for some whoopee? It doesn't take long for everyone to start falling in love and wondering what to do about it, or for signals and messages to become hopelessly scrambled in transit ("It's like Middle School, y'know?" a bystander observes), but just when we're congratulating ourselves on recognizing the plot of Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost, the 57-minute first act ends, our video screens announce “Intermission," and we are told that Act Two will commence after real-life distancing restrictions are lifted and the long-awaited party scene can be filmed. Welcome to "Isolation Theatre"—one of many innovative dramatic forms to arise out of the unforeseen stage freeze still underway after six months. Littlebrain Theater's non-binary ensemble of actors (some of whom have never met in person) are performing from their homes, making for window-frame stage business encompassing the watering of plants, stroking of pets, and a brave actor interrupted during a midnight facial involving a faceful of zinc paste. Andrew Behling contributes original incidental music, while Shakespeare's mis-delivered letters now comprise Andrew Rathgeber's rendition of the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic "I Have Dreamed" on acoustic guitar and a smitten Ben Kaye's DIY music video of "Dream A Little Dream Of Me.” Audiences undecided whether to view a play ending in a cliffhanger, or wait to binge on both acts in one sitting, are advised to take a lesson from its foolish youths. Nobody knows when this global Intermission will be over, so why hesitate to take advantage of the opportunity offered by a troupe exhibiting the fellowship and talent of that assembled for this project? Where else are you going to learn that honesty is the best policy and that the fireplace nook in Lady Gregory's Pub is the perfect setting for romantic trysts?
