Water By The Spoonful

chat room for recovering narcotic addicts

The Arden Theatre, located at 40 N 2^nd Street, is presenting Water By The Spoonful, the middle play of Quiara Algria Hudes’ trilogy, through March 16 on its Arcadia Stage.  It is easy to get lost in the beginning of the show as the emphasis shifts from two cousins to unrelated people logging in and out of a chat room.  By the end of the first act a common thread appears leading to an “aha” moment. Such a moment is not necessary to appreciate the brilliance with which Hudes tells her tale. While the piece is set in Philadelphia, Puerto Rico, Japan and California, the primary setting is cyber-space.in a chat room for recovering narcotics abusers.  Very real emotional ties are forged and bonds formed amongst those who regularly support each other online. It is when the physical world and the cyber world come head-to-head that apple carts are upset. Water By the Spoonful is a very powerful work and each member of the ensemble cast gives a commanding performance.  The set is stark but allows actors’ movement throughout the entire stage area and encourages audiences to use their imagination when envisioning the different scenes.  This was a 2012 Pulitzer Prize winning play.  Don’t miss an opportunity to see it. A reading of the first work in the trilogy, Eliot, A Soldier's Fugue, will be held on Monday February 24 and a reading of the final part of the trilogy, The Happiest Song Plays Last will be read at the Arden on Monday, March 10.  For more information or tickets, call 215-922-1122 or visit online at www.ardentheatre.org.