Marriage, companionship, the years spent together, the connection between two people—these are things we can and do take for granted, that the other person is there and will always be there. Then, one day, they are not, and we find ourselves alone but for our TV and children. This derailment some never recover from.

Set in Del Ray, Florida, Touch, written by Lori Goodman, is a play about lifting oneself and moving on. It’s like dating at a mature age when the pickings are limited, and those that are available are so set in their ways. Touch introduces us to Betty (Carole Forman), a widow whose son, Jim (Alex Brightwell), also living in Florida, is her main friend and companion. Jim is doing all he can for his mother, trying not to go crazy with daily calls and repetitive conversations. Bob (Willie C. Carpenter), a widower living in the same community, lost his wife and met Maureen (June Ballinger ) at the local grocery store. They become close, loving companions until something happens, leaving Bob alone again. His daughter, Anna (Allyson Kaye Daniel), is coming to visit. It is a difficult venture as Bob and Anna can rub each other the wrong way on a simple telephone call. Husband (Joe Gately) and his Wife (Stacey Scott) are acerbic busybodies who get into everyone’s business, especially at the grocery store.

This may all sound rather down and not at all entertaining, but Goodman’s writing and Janice L. Goldberg’s directing bring us hilarious, over-the-top, wonderfully uncomfortable moments.  All in a story about getting older and managing our children’s roles in our lives… and the magic of a great sandwich.

Touch is knee-slapping, head-shaking humor that will leave you smiling.

The cast is perfect. Goldberg’s simple set and staging use the space at The Tank to the utmost, with scenes and vignettes moving seamlessly from one to another. This is good theater – terrific script and direction, actors with comedic timing in their blood, and a sense of fun in their cadence.

The play was inspired by Lori Goodman’s mother, Claire. Lori watched her mother face the world after the death of her husband, Lori’s dad, with courage and decided to write a play that gave older performers terrific roles to sink their teeth into and tap into their courage to move life forward.

Touch is about how we physically touch one another, how we emotionally touch one another, and how we change ourselves and others.

Touch is how we, members of families, make our way in the world together.

Touch was written by Lori Goodman and directed by Janice L. Goldberg

With: June Ballinger, Alex Brightwell, Willie C Carpenter, Allyson Kaye Daniel, Carole Forman, Joe Gately, and Stacey Scotte

Creative Team: Set Design by Jonas Harrison, Lighting Design by Michael Abrams, and Sound Design by Iman Rose Louis-Jeune, Noelle S. LeBlanc Production Stage Manager, William English Stage Manager

Running Time: A little Under Two hours with no intermission

The Tank (312 West 36th Street)
HERE for tickets and more information

The Tank’s performance spaces are free of charge for performers, so support for the artists comes from all of us who go to The Tank. You can donate to The Tank HERE