Chronic pain has invaded the bodies of every character in “Infinite Life,” a constant companion as they lounge in the sun, ruminating on their paths to a fasting clinic, sipping water, hungering for peace, conjuring distractions and supporting each other in their separate journeys. In a quietly compelling 110 minutes, the Annie Baker play now at barebones productions in Braddock, does not tick off any boxes of expectations; rather, it lives and breathes in a singular realm of slow-burn storytelling.
Braddock
Review: barebones’ ‘God of Carnage’ Visits the Funny Side of Grown-Ups Behaving Badly
What happens when two sets of New York parents seek a civilized response to an act of playground violence: one of their 11-year-old sons whacking the other with a stick, knocking out two teeth?
In the case of barebones’ production of “God of Carnage,” it’s a blast, as outwardly responsible adults take wildly inappropriate dives into their darkest sides, played by Daina Michelle Griffth, Patrick Jordan, Gayle Pazerski and David Whalen.
‘Jaws’ Fans Jump at ‘Shark’ Bait Plus Patricks Trifecta
The “Jaws”-inspired play “The Shark Is Broken” rides a wave of excitement into Braddock, buoyed by “Jaws” fever and three Patricks: Patrick Jordan, Patrick Cannon and Quinn Patrick Shannon.
Survivor of Clergy Abuse Turns Rage Into Advocacy in ‘Unreconciled’
By SHARON EBERSON This year marks 20 years since the release of the Pennsylvania grand jury report on clergy abuse. It also marks 40 years since actor Jay Sefton went from carefree 13-year-old to abuse survivor, and sparked his autobiographical… Read More ›
Barebones Opens 2025 with Solo Show ‘Unreconciled,’ Told by Survivor of Clergy Abuse
Barebones productions will kick off 2025 with Jay Sefton’s one-man autobiographical show Unreconciled, written by Sefton and Mark Basquill and directed by Geraldine Hughes. The play, in which Sefton channels multiple characters, arrives in barebones’ Braddock Black Box Theater January… Read More ›
‘Die Hard N’At’ Brings Bricolage Back With a Vengeance
By SHARON EBERSON Everything old is new again isn’t just a saying this holiday season. It’s a promise of more of what has proven popular, and in one case in particular, a welcome back. Bricolage Production Company’s popular Midnight Radio… Read More ›
Bricolage in Braddock: Midnight Radio Returns with ‘Die Hard’ Parody
Bricolage Productions’ Midnight Radio is set to burst back on the theater scene with Die Hard N’At, billed as a “Pittsburgh-ified holiday romp” that parodies the action film and presented with the company’s trademark Foley sound effects. “Finally, we’re back,”… Read More ›
Barebones Catches ‘Crocodile Fever’ to End Season of Female Playwrights
UPDATE: After this story was published, Susan Davey had to leave the production and was replaced by Phoebe Lloyd (Carnegie Mellon Class of 2023). By SHARON EBERSON “It’s a typical Pittsburgh story. Somebody knows somebody,” is how Patrick Jordan was… Read More ›
Review: Intense Family Drama ‘The Animal Kingdom’ Opens in Braddock
By SHARON EBERSON If you’ve ever wondered how it feels to be sitting beside someone, near enough to touch, and yet be miles apart, meet Sam and his family. They have gathered for six therapy sessions at the facility where… Read More ›
Barebones Gets ‘The Animal Kingdom’ Ready for Its Braddock Closeup
By SHARON EBERSON The Animal Kingdom by Ruby Thomas comes to its first production outside of London and New York through the grapevine. “I reached out to a friend who was in that [off-off-Broadway] production and I was like, ‘Hey,… Read More ›
