By: Darryl Reilly
“I don’t know, you’ve got these three lines on your forehead.” “I’m 17!” “We made a pact; we are always staying young” converse two vapid young women in playwright Pat GoodSon’s uproarious contemporary black comedy The Invisibles. GLP-1, TikTok, Instagram, and a host of current cultural topics are sharply referenced; riotous Freaky Friday metaphysical plot twists transpire.
Spoiled 17-year-old Antheia is flunking high school, jeopardizing her entry into beauty school. Her best friend Indira is smarter but is equally as superficial, they are enthused over an anti-aging serum. Antheia’s divorced mother is a hardboiled corporate type. They argue over Antheia visiting her grandmother in a nursing home. Antheia reluctantly agrees; her mother hasn’t visited in six months.
Oma is a vibrant retired nurse in her 70s who has been institutionalized after a knee replacement and some mental decline. Antheia and Indira arrive with flowers but they’re all on vastly different generational wavelengths; clashes ensue. Antheia needs money for her class trip to Hawaii which her mother refuses to provide. Antheia soon ponders murdering Oma for the inheritance.
Ms. GoodSon spins out her engaging ultra-dysfunctional family scenario through glorious rapid-fire dialogue laden with laugh-getting zingers, full-blooded characters, and outrageous developments. Sober issues such as elder abuse, poor parenting, and the plight of the elderly in society (the invisibles) are insightfully tackled.
Director Amy Herzberg’s brisk physical staging mines all of the possible laughs and pathos in the play. Most impressive are the swift scene transitions between a living room and the nursing home room that are authentically realized by scenic designer Lytza Colón. Alexander Bartenieff’s lighting design smoothly veers from realism to fantastical flourishes.
The lean, lithe, and animated Liz Bove is dynamic as the downtrodden but resourceful Oma. Ms. Bove combines old-time show business pizzazz and vocal command with poignant vulnerability for her moving characterization which recalls Eileen Heckart in her long prime.
Spirted Amy Jo Ray zestfully evokes adolescent angst as the obnoxious Antheia. Ms. Ray manages to humanize such an unlikeable but not irredeemable character. Sunny Vaishnavi Murari brings depth to the sidekick role of Indira. She and Ray have a neat comedic and warm dramatic rapport.
Entrancing Rosie Allenson chillingly veers from deadpan to vicious as the venal mother. Ms. Allenson’s grand range is exhibited as she switches back and forth from that gorgon to Oma’s tender and caring nursing home attendant.
The Invisibles is 70 minutes of wild and mirthful yet serious entertainment.
The Invisibles (through October 25, 2026)
Theater for the New City, 155 First Avenue, in Manhattan
For tickets, visit www.theaterforthenewcity.net
Running time: 70 minutes with no intermission
I loved the play. It was a joy to see the written word transformed visually. I’m very proud of you Patricia. These young Gen what ever, will all become Invisibles.