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Edited and Published by Robert W. McDowell
June 12, 2025 Issue |
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A FREE Weekly E-mail Newsletter Covering Theater, Dance, Music, and Film in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill/Carrboro Area of North Carolina Since April 2001. |
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PART 4A: TRIANGLE THEATER REVIEW BY DANI DANIELA |
Bronwen Carson's The Mansion of Many Apartments
Is a Layered Exploration of Recovery, Identity,
and the Strain of Being Witnessed Through
a Lens That You No Longer Recognize
Bronwen Carson's The Mansion of Many Apartments, produced by SoundingLine Arts and presented as part of Burning Coal Theatre Company's "Wait 'Til You See This" series, is a layered exploration of recovery, identity, and the strain of being witnessed through a lens that you no longer recognize. Written and directed by Bronwen Carson, who also performs the lead role of Rowan, the play pulls audiences into the disoriented world of a woman waking from a coma and adjusting to life with face blindness.
There is an intentional friction in how this story is told. Characters shift roles mid-scene. Stage crew float in and out of view. The line between actor, technician, and character is fluid. At first, the movements can feel abrupt. But as the story unfolds, that structure mirrors Rowan's confusion. One line in the play stands out: "Things can be a little fuzzy at first." That sentiment applies not only to the narrative, but to the audience experience. The scattered transitions echo the fragmented process of waking up to a changed life.
With the right perspective, even the visual noise becomes part of the message. The play's creative choices allow us to see what Rowan cannot. We experience the story not as passive observers but as people being asked to see differently. Like the therapy goggles that Rowan is given in recovery to train her eyes to notice where things truly are instead of where she assumes them to be. The play invites us to pause, adjust, and re-engage.
Cora Hemphill as Casia and Paul Kilpatrick as Oliver bring realism to the sibling dynamic. Their relationship with Rowan feels honest and strained in the right ways. The chemistry between the three actors holds the emotional weight of the piece.
The cast also includes Alexandra Oliver as Nurse Lily/Irritated Stranger/Support Group Member, and Tammera Sudderth-Hill as Dr. Warner/Sheila/Bel/Support Group Member/Officer.
What makes the performance work is not spectacle, but its commitment to authenticity. The pace is intentionally patient. Long silences, mundane dialogue, and everyday tasks serve to make room for the emotional weight of Rowan's condition.
There are moments that confuse and moments that clarify. But the cumulative effect is one of deep empathy. This play does not ask us to pity. It asks us to sit in the discomfort of watching someone rediscover the shape of their own life.
The Mansion of Many Apartments continues its run at Burning Coal's Murphey School Auditorium in Raleigh, with remaining performances on June 21st, 22nd, 27th, and 28th. Click here for details and here to buy tickets. Bring your full attention and an open mind. The play will meet you there.
The cast includes (from left) Cora Hemphill, Bronwen Carson, Paul Kilpatrick, Alexandra Oliver, and Tammera Sudderth-Hill (photo by Bert Cook)THE MANSION OF MANY APARTMENTS (In Person at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 21st; 2 p.m. Sunday, June 22nd; 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 27th; and 2 p.m. Saturday, June 28th), written and directed by Bronwen Carson, produced by SoundingLine Arts, presented as part of Burning Coal's "Wait 'Til You See This" series, and starring Bronwen Carson as Rowan, Cora Hemphill as Casia/Support Group Member, Paul Kilpatrick as Oliver/The Stranger, Alexandra Oliver as Nurse Lily/Irritated Stranger/Support Group Member, and Tammera Sudderth-Hill as Dr. Warner/Sheila/Bel/Support Group Member/Officer (Burning Coal Theatre Company in the Murphey School Auditorium in Raleigh). DIGITAL PROGRAM: https://burningcoal.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Second-Stage-2025-Digital-Program-.pdf. BRONWEN CARSON PODCAST: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8ZGXgNnB_k. PRESENTER: https://burningcoal.org/, https://www.facebook.com/burningcoaltheatrecompany, https://www.instagram.com/burningcoaltc/, https://x.com/burningcoaltc, and https://www.youtube.com/@BurningCoaltc. PODCASTS: https://burningcoal.podbean.com/. 2025 "WAIT 'TIL YOU SEE THIS" SECOND STAGE SEASON: https://burningcoal.org/second-stage/. VENUE: https://burningcoal.org/plan-your-visit/ and https://burningcoal.org/history-of-the-murphey-school/. DIRECTIONS/PARKING: https://burningcoal.org/plan-your-visit/. ACCESSIBILITY: https://burningcoal.org/accessibility/. BRONWEN CARSON (Brooklyn, NY playwright, screenwriter, and director): https://bronwencarson.com/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/bronwen-carson-70164a1a, https://www.stepsnyc.com/faculty/bronwen-carson/, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1291496/, and https://www.facebook.com/groups/300926313634847/user/662659675/. TICKETS: $10, plus taxes and fees. Click here to buy tickets. INFORMATION: 919-834-4001 or info@burningcoal.org. PLEASE DONATE TO: Burning Coal Theatre Company.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: Dani Daniela is a dynamic content creator, writer, facilitator, and podcast host whose work focuses on self-awareness, faith identity, and meaningful conversations. She blends everyday experiences with the arts to spark thoughtful dialogue and inspire personal breakthroughs. Her mission is to connect people through storytelling and creative expression, fostering community and deeper understanding. Dani is the host of EarthXperiences, a podcast in which she explores questions about faith journeys and mindset with other content creators and thought leaders, creating space for honest dialogue and fresh perspectives. She has co-written the web series Urk My Nerves and served as a contributing play reviewer for RDU on Stage. Dani is also the author of Ma, What's Investing?, a children's book promoting financial literacy, and Brown Girl All CULT Up, a personal exploration of her experiences with religion and self-discovery. Through her writing and workshops, Dani promotes self-awareness, mindfulness, and the use of thoughtful questions to help individuals explore their relationship with themselves and the ideas or people that shape their thinking. Her sessions encourage intentional decision-making and personal growth through reflective dialogue and critical inquiry. Her academic background in Family Science deeply informs her approach to both writing and facilitation. Dani has contributed to Carolina Playwrights Lab as a panelist, bringing her expertise to conversations around cultural identity, faith exploration, and the audience experience. As a proud mother of three, Dani draws inspiration from the lessons of parenthood, infusing her work with empathy and practical insight. Whether reviewing art, hosting panels, or leading workshops, Dani's goal is to inspire reflection and help people explore the intersections between creativity, faith, and everyday life. Through her mindful analysis as a reviewer, she uncovers new ways for us to connect, encouraging thoughtful engagement and deeper conversations that resonate long after the experience. Click here to read Dani Daniela's reviews for Triangle Review. |
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