Branch to Branch Review

‘Branch to Branch’ is a play put on by WAH! Productions about what animals in the zoo might think about humans. It’s also about the relationships between members of the same species and relationships between the species as well. Similar to ‘Have a Nice Life’, ‘Branch to Branch’ is a little bizarre and out there—it requires a bit of stretching of the imagination. But it’s such a fun exercise to do! ‘Branch to Branch’ is well-written, thought provoking, and well acted.
The play follows four pairs of characters: two pairs of animals and two pairs of humans (with a baby monkey entering the mix halfway through). Stick with me through this paragraph—it is a little confusing. Sid and Dane, played by Jared Nelson and Ed Swidey, respectively, when they are portraying animals, are a pair of gorillas that share a cage. When they are portraying humans, Sid is the father of a sick child who is trying to make some quick cash gambling; Dane is the bookie who pressures Sid to pay up as Sid’s bets fail. Marla and Ethan, played by Ashley Kelly and Brad Masters, respectively, portray a pair of monkeys who have been placed in the same cage in order to mate, and when they are portraying humans, they are a brother-sister pair who spend time at the zoo after school as they wait for their ride. Gogo, played by Candra Kennedy, is the baby monkey of Marla and Ethan. In alternate scenes, the humans interact with the animals in various ways; for example, when Sid and Dane are gorillas, Marla and Ethan are the humans that approach their cage to watch (and vice versa). Although that sounds confusing, the animals to human transformations take place seamlessly, and it is easy to catch on quickly.
At times very funny, the play examines the dynamics of the zoo itself—who is really the ‘trapped’ one, the animal or the human; as well as why humans enjoy going to the zoo to observe animals contained in cages. It also humorously explores the dynamics of friendship with Sid and Dane as gorillas, and the dynamics of sexual relationships with Marla and Ethan as monkeys. Alternately the play is also presents some fairly bleak elements: one of the gorillas is so frustrated and depressed by his lack of purpose that he turns self-injurious and eventually suicidal. And although this subplot is clearly anthropomorphic, Dane’s depression is expressed convincingly. Also, the struggle Sid feels as he loses more and more money, which is parallel to his fondness for the monkey family, is touching and carries resonance.
As I wrap up this review, it strikes me again that it’s a little bizarre and funny that I’ve used ‘gorilla’ and ‘suicidal’ in the same sentence, and that I’ve described ‘human to animal transformations’ as seamless. You may be reading this and deciding that all of it is just too far in left field. However, as I wrote this, I realized that this play is easier experienced than explained. Go see it with a friend, laugh together, think together, and then talk about it afterward. I sincerely think you’ll enjoy it.
-becca

This show is still running! Check it out on Friday 9/12 or Saturday 9/13, at 9 p.m. at the 2nd Stage at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St. $10 online or at the door.