EmpathitRaX is an exploration of the mind and relationships. We see a couple who is in a rough patch explore using a drug to allow them to “see” their partner more. They get to engage in this over the top experience that takes many turns and reveals the truth.
What to Expect before you see EmpathitRaX
The show is about 100 minutes with no intermission. Some performances may require a mask. Arrive to the theatre in more than enough time to park and get settled. The theatre is located inside of the Suzanne Roberts Theatre on Broad Street. There are on street parking as well as lots. Since it’s on Broad street many use the lots for convenience. You can purchase snacks and drinks. In addition at least at the show I attended let me remind that phones need to be shut off. The vibrating of a phone can and will be a distraction inside of a quiet theatre.
Also this show is not suitable for children. There are strong sexual gestures as well as language.
Mental Health in EmpathitRaX
Without going into details because I never spoil a show, there is an element of mental health that comes into play. I like how normalized it is now to openly discuss the use of medication and more. During the production there are many discussions on how mental health affects how we come to relationships. When a person in a relationship is seeking mental health help sometimes they aren’t received in the right light. How does one show up in their relationship knowing that their partner needs mental health assistance.
This one hit home for me. Many know of my own personal issues with depression and specifically when I dealt with postpartum depression. Using medication during that time and not having my partner “see” me was debilitating. As the couple works to sort out their grievances this notion of not wanting to hurt or offend comes up quite often.
Would you take the Pill?
The pharmaceutical industry has been booming. Often times we are pushed to take medication for any and everything. Sometimes it’s so strong that we are pushed into medicine that we rarely depend on natural remedies. In a relationship would you if you felt like you had tried it all take a pill to get to the depth of your relationship? Many reading this may say no. However since there’s a pill for everything I see this as something that may be in our future.
These pills are strong. Allowing you to feel your when your partner is excited about you, their lows in the relationship and more. As as dark as that was showcased it revealed a lot about the trust we say we have in our partners.
EmpathitRaX is a Must See
This production ends March 5, 2023. It features Makoto Hirano, Claire Inie-Richards, and Matteo Scammell. The dynamics between them are absolutely amazing. This was my first time seeing Makoto. He was brilliant. I’ve seen many productions with Claire and Matteo. They never disappoint. Their acting is phenomenal. This is a piece that stirs discussion. Although we don’t have such a pill there are some ways that this pill simply exists now. The side effects that we see play our manifest themselves in our lives now. These romantic fractures that many couples turn a blind eye always have a way to show up and expose themselves.
Tickets are available now. Make sure you support the arts. Thank you to the staff, artist, Playwright, Ana Nogueira Director, Nell Bang-Jensen and Philadelphia Theatre Company for having me.
