Heisenberg

Werner Heisenberg was a quantum mechanics theorists who put forth the uncertainty principle, which suggests that the more closely one pins down one measurement, the less precise another measurement pertaining to the same particle must become.  In this play that bears his name, (if I’m recalling the play accurately), his ideas are discussed a little here and there, they are displayed in their human particle form, but his name is never said.  How do we measure our knowledge of one human, and how will it effect our knowledge of another.

Directed by Mark Brokaw, we get an intimate invitation to study two people collide in life and the momentum of their action in relation to each other. Mary Louise Parker, who must have grabbed hold of this play once she read it and held it tight, is perfect for the role of Georgie Burns, a seemingly lost soul in search of something, someone or some meaning and/or understanding. She finds Alex Priest, deliciously played by Denis Arndt,  and decides to attach herself somehow to him, whether he wants it or not. Their names suit them well. Nothing else can be said about this delectable play written by Simon Stephens, who also penned Curious Incident…  Heisenberg, at times, reminded me of the beautifully intense intelligent dialogue of Curious Incident… And also of one of my favorite plays of last year, Constellations in the heady way we have to think about the momentum and collision that brings two people together (but without the abstractionisms).  I can’t say enough about how wonderful it is to get a glimpse of their interactions, but saying anything more would be a disservice. Just go, see this beautifully crafted 90 minute jewel, and take in every moment. That is, if you can get a ticket….