Zero Visibility (AMY Project) 2013 SummerWorks Review

Zero Visibility by the AMY Project is a chilly production in the middle of SummerWorks 2013. The show, playing at Lower Ossington Studio, is a cross-stitching of multiple characters’ stories during a bad snowstorm in Toronto. The show weaves playful humour with serious topics like self esteem, suicide, and being shunned from a community.

The cast of the AMY Project demonstrates strong versatility with the art of story-telling. Each cast member plays a multitude of characters, transforming into someone new with the switch of hat or scarf. The show is filled with monologues, songs, flashbacks, and even a little bit of Shakespeare. And if that isn’t enough, simple props like fans and fake snow make the performance come alive. The ladies of the AMY Project show they have quite a few tricks up their sleeves.

When watching the show I felt a little put-off by the stories about problems with self-esteem and community separation because they were treated with a heavy hand. Especially using an all-encompassing monologue; it felt as if the moral message was being spelled out for me.

But after witnessing the interviews with the cast after the show, it was revealed that the cast had written most of the play based on issues close to them or on entirely real experiences. Considering how much courage it must have taken to place their vulnerabilities and deeply personal experiences on stage, I was impressed. Zero Visibility was clearly crafted with creativity and a lot of heart.

Details:

  • Zero Visibility (AMY Project) is playing at Lower Ossington Studio (100A Ossington, Toronto)
  • Performances: Tuesday August 13 at 7:30, Wednesday August 14 at 5:00 pm, Thursday August 15 at 2:30 pm, Saturday August 17 at 5:00 pm.
  • All individual SummerWorks tickets are $15 at the door (cash only). Tickets are available online, by phone by calling the Lower Ossington Box Office at 416-915-6747, in person at the SummerWorks Info Booth (located at 100A Ossington Avenue, first floor) Aug. 6-18 10AM-7PM (Advance tickets are $15 + service fee)
  • Several money-saving passes are available if you plan to see at least 3 shows