THE GARBOLOGISTS Review

By Katrina “Kat” Reynolds

THE GARBOLOGISTS presented by Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati through Oct. 6th. I attended the opening night performance. 

Torie Wiggins as Marlowe & Nathan Neorr as Danny. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati opens its 39th season with its production of THE GARBOLOGISTS le. This Regional Premiere invites us into the lives of two essential workers from very different worlds who continue to butt heads until they discover a tie that binds them. While the script had been a consideration for some time.

Director D. Lynn Meyers felt staging this show was a wonderful way to honour Cincinnati Rumpke sanitation truck worker Angel Flores who was murdered while on the job. She is quoted as saying “I have this faith that the more we know about each other and our shared experiences, the more we can share.” As usual, Ms. Meyers’ direction is flawless. The pace of the show is steady, scene changes are completed promptly (but the crew always seems so relaxed!), and every bit of stage is used.

Scenic Designer Brian c. Mehring performs his usual magic with this functional and impressive set. Both Sound Design by Trey Tatum as well as Lighting Design by Chris Lipstreau add the perfect touches to the feel of being up early in the AM on a cold day to deal with others people’s refuse. Together, these contributions allow the audience to truly be along for the ride in a garbage truck and on the streets of New York on trash day. In addition, Costume Designer Hannah Dringenburg hits the mark by ensuring the uniform of the veteran essential worker has stains and is well-worn while that of the newbie is a bit more crisp and clean.

This two-person cast is absolute fire. (Oops – fire and garbage don’t mix, do they?) Playing the role of Marlowe, an Ivy League-educated rookie, is Torie Wiggins. Ms. Wiggins is certainly a familiar face on Cincinnati stages and it’s for good reason. She gives us a beautiful performance of a complicated human who you might not always like, but who is definitely real.

As Danny, the veteran, Nathan Neorr is nothing short of exceptional. Mr. Neorr plays a rough-around-the-edges essential worker who is surprisingly a lovable “good guy”. He masters the speech patterns and manner of a typical New Yorker who has seen a few things, yet remains kind at the heart of it. We would all be so lucky to have a Danny in our corner.

As you may know, I don’t like to be a reviewer who spoils things. However, it can be said that THE GARBOLOGISTS you find yourself not necessarily knowing where it will go. For someone who sees a lot of theatre, this is a wonderful thing. Playwright Lindsey Joelle offers the audience some sharp dialogue and moments of levity as well as sadness. But just like trash day, it’s all a part of being alive, isn’t it? There is something to be said when we are reminded that someone else’s trash is another person’s treasure – so be sure to take a moment to appreciate the things (and people) you might take for granted.

Click here for more information about the production.