Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
Ophelia's Refrain sounds innocent, sentimental, sexy, in love, unbalanced, and tragic.
In endogenous expressions of past, present and future, looking back at the experiences, one starts asking yourself what is real, what do I believe in?
Is listening to my inner voice, gut feeling, intuition - real?
The conclusion is - only love is real.
A solo play, written and performed by Sheila-Joon Azim, a half-Iranian actor, who in search of healing and identity spends time in the Amazon practicing yoga and meditation, and in the streets of New York doing Shakespeare plays. In time she falls in love with a 'prince' of Brooklyn which provokes sexual fantasies and gets her to experience conditions of shame, guilt and naughtiness. The true story is told through provocative subjects of intense traumas, where the emotions are expressed through movements and vocal diversity, either through songs, farci language or intense activities. The authoritative, conservative and loving voice of her mother is expressive in concern for her daughter's well-being.
Through body language and vocal performance Sheila becomes herself, moves gracefully through the stage and delivers a fine performance. It is worth seeing.
Direction and dramaturgy by Shyamala Moorty (Director of HFF 2024' winner for Best Physical Theater the Anti Yogi Liberation Not Lululemon), who works to create projects that empower participants and transform audiences, stands up to her multiple awards. The rest of the creatives are Sound design by Jess Baxter with original music from Sheila-Joon Azim, Sound Engineering/Instrumentals is Alec J. Seagrave, Original instrumental composition is by Andrew Shubov, Original Mashups is done by Jeremy Winters, Board operator is Abril 'Arod' Rodriguez, Visual Projections courtesy of TAS VISUALS, and Stage manager is Sarah Dawn Lowry. In charge of publicity is Anita Lee.
Sheila-Joon Azim, Ophelia's Refrain has five performances at Actors Company (Other Space Theater 916 N. Formosa Ave) continues Friday, June 13th at 8:30 pm; Thursday, June 19th at 10:00 pm; Monday, June 23 at 7:00 pm and Sunday, June 29th at 12:00 pm.
The Other Space Theater is located at 916 N Formosa Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
The tickets are available at: https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/11754?tab=details