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Regret, change, and the peculiar state of limbo take center stage in our riveting conversation with the cast and director of "Savage in Limbo," part of Chino Community Theatre's Three on the Edge Festival. This John Patrick Shanley one-act transports audiences to a seedy Bronx bar circa 1984, where five characters who've known each other since grade school find their lives unexpectedly intersecting on a quiet Monday night.
Director Michelle Knight-Reinhart and her talented cast—Alex Huey (Denise Savage), Bodhi Aguirre (Tony Aronica), and Rafael Ortega (Merc)—delve into Shanley's distinctive writing style and the raw humanity of their characters. Known for works like "Doubt," "Danny and the Deep Blue Sea," and "Moonstruck," Shanley creates painfully honest dialogue that explores the human condition through the lens of working-class New York characters yearning for connection and change.
What makes this production particularly fascinating is how it balances gritty realism with moments of unexpected humor. The laughter often emerges from uncomfortable situations and self-inflicted problems as characters desperately try to change their circumstances while simultaneously resisting transformation. As one cast member notes, perhaps "limbo" isn't just a temporary state but the constant in all our lives—we're perpetually wondering if something better awaits us while remaining stuck in our patterns. The production embraces its 1980s setting with period-appropriate costumes and creates an immersive bar environment where drinks mysteriously appear without being mixed, adding an intriguing theatrical element that mirrors the reliability and steadfastness of Merc's character.
Don't miss this powerful exploration of human connection running May 9-24 as part of the Three on the Edge Festival, which also features "Breathing Corpses" and "Bending the Spoon." All three productions contain mature themes and strong language, offering audiences a thought-provoking theatrical experience. If you're buying tickets for one show, consider attending all three in repertory to experience the full range of this compelling festival.

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