*** I want to take a moment to apologize to The Raven Theater for my not being able to attend an earlier performance of their production of  “brother sister cyber space” a commissioned play written by Paul Michael Thomson. There was a great deal going on at once, and we just could not fit it in until tonight. I am glad that I found the time to do so, in order to tell you that this is indeed an interesting concept and well written play.

The story is about a very wealthy man. In fact, perhaps the richest man in the entire world. Hos name is Elon ( well played by Matt Bowdren). Please note that the name might be coincidental. Elon, in this story is just the concept of rich and has a name similar to one that owns a great deal of everything one can own. His plan is to change the world, by leaving earth with 1,000 selected people to go to another planet and start fresh as Earth is going to be destroyed and gone.

Hos sister, Giselle ( deftly handled by Brittney Brown) is not Intune with his thinking, but in his mind since they are related ( even if only half) she can be an important part in creating the perfect world on this journey. She questions him on what this new world will be like. Will there be people of color? Will the new world be one that is created to be just like her brother?

Meanwhile, Giselle is in trouble with “big oil” and is afraid that they me be out to “get her”. As it turns out, they are. The third character in this play is Ava ( a sort of combination Alexa and Siri) that knows everything and if you pay close attention you will feel why people are concerned about the nature of AI ( artificial intelligence) and what might happen in our future.

This is a terse 90 minute play that will give you cause to think about things like climate changes, racial and sexual situations, artificial intelligence, financial status ( privilege) and family. Can brother and sister ( even if they only share one parent) think alike or can they form their own opinion and choose the lifestyle they want? I will not give away a special secret that is in this story, but there are time, I myself has wondered if this could ever happen.

Sharpley directed by Terry Guest on a set designed by Steven Abbott, this 90 minutes of theater works. The story is simple and while we can assume that it is pure fiction, in the back of your mind, you might think about the possibility that this might be the future.

Both actors leave te set and talk directly to the audience from time to time, which is very real. I will say, that the fly that was onstage the entire time, was a distraction, but neither performer ever swatted at it or lost their composure. Bravo! It shows how they were into the script.

” brother sister cyborg space” will continue thru – Mar 17th  with performances as follows: