Latest The Edge production brings dark comedy about loneliness, connection to Keene

KEENE – Isolation and self-reflection can come with middle age in unexpected ways. "The Roommate" by Jen Silverman brings these themes together to explore how two women in their 50s reinvent themselves together. The Edge Ensemble Theatre Company will put on "The Roommate" on May 29-30 as well as June 4-6. This dark comedy follows sheltered Sharon as she welcomes her new roommate, the street-smart Robyn, and how the two's relationship develops over the first six weeks. "It's a very really heartwarming story about a woman in her golden years who is now alone and decides that she needs a roommate," Founding Artistic Director and the show's Director Kim Dupuis said. "They're an unlikely pair, but a lovely, meaningful relationship develops between them…It's pretty funny to observe that relationship, but the heartwarming part is that they both have a significant impact upon each other and so the future of each woman seems brighter." Part of The Ensemble's mission is to work toward the growth and development of members. Dupuis said "The Roommate" offered a lovely opportunity for two ensemble members — Cynthia Rodier and Veda Crewe — to play significant roles. It isn't common to spend the whole production on stage, carrying it with only one other person. It provides opportunity for the actors to get to know the characters on a deep level, which also means the audience has more time with them. "There's still a great bit of deep character revelation and deep character relationship revelation that is that I appreciated," Dupuis said. This two-character set-up is part of what makes "The Roommate" a contemporary comedy, Dupuis said. Silverman produced the play in 2015 at the Humana Festival of New American Plays as a modern twist on "The Odd Couple" and a bit of "Breaking Bad." "When you look at her dramatic literature on the page, it's written in a different way than you typically encounter, and so she's capturing dialog in a new way that was intriguing to me," Dupuis said. "For me and my ensemble members to be able to work on creating realistic, believable conversation with this new approach of dialog." While working on the production, Dupuis said, they got to know the characters as written and then step further, stirring up their imagination about the characters. She extended the rehearsal process to get saturated in the world and characters through conversations and research into the world. The theme of isolation is one Dupuis said people have grown more used to since 2015 and the cast held some rehearsals over videocall, which also extended the process and allowed for more incubation time. She said her hope is for audiences to laugh and shed a few tears during the show. "I think it is good insight into the loneliness that occurs as one ages and perhaps moves into living in a solitary life at home," Dupuis said. "I think they'll make a couple of friends."