Marjorie Prime is Up Next at Falcon Theatre!
What would we choose to forget from our past if given the opportunity? What have we forgotten already that we might wish we could remember? Do we remember the past as it occurred or as we–for whatever reason–prefer to remember it?
These are just a few of the questions addressed in Jordan Harrison’s drama Marjorie Prime, a touching, emotional, and painfully believable story set in the not-too-distant future.
The story revolves around 85-year-old Marjorie, who is in the early stages of dementia. Ten years after the death of her husband Walter, Marjorie now lives with her daughter Tess and son-in-law Jon who have installed a holographic “prime” of Walter to keep Marjorie company and perhaps aid in holding onto part of her rapidly failing memory.
The “prime” takes on the form of Walter as a vibrant young man rather than the Walter from his final, older years and is programmed with the ability to learn from the information that he has been fed. Jon, particularly, has shared with the prime certain aspects and details of Marjorie’s past, but for Tess, some things are too uncomfortable to share.
Ed Cohen, Director, sees the story’s treatment of memory as the key that unlocks our humanity. He points to multiple episodes in the story where Marjorie is struggling with details of memories, but what she’s trying to recapture is the feelings and emotions that she associates with the memories.
Performances are at 8 PM on November 22, 23, 29, 30, and December 5, 6, and 7. Tickets prices are $25 for adults and $15 for students with ID. Patrons enjoy a $5 discount for Thursday performances. Visit falcontheater.net for tickets.