Next Act Theatre presents “The Other Place”

A psychological mystery on stage in Milwaukee 

Before heading into the Next Act Theatre last week, my understanding of The Other Place was somewhat vague. I knew it would be a “psychological mystery,” per the Next Act website, and that Sharr White’s play had something to do with a woman giving a speech, seeing someone in a yellow bikini, and somehow becoming unraveled because of it. I also knew the magnificent Deborah Staples would be playing the lead; that was truly incentive enough for me to see this show.

Luckily, the vague story becomes clear and Deb Staples delivers a spectacularly raw and real performance as research scientist Julianna Smithton. Without giving away the crux of the story it’s hard to communicate the depth and dynamic shifts we see in Julianna, but I can say this much: Ms. Staples blew me away. From confident and salty to utterly lost and broken, the dramatic range she displays in The Other Place is remarkable, and often times terribly moving.

Though Deb Staples’ Julianna is at the center of The Other Place, I’m happy to say hers is not the only outstanding performance in this Next Act production. Cristina Panfilio took on three different characters with ease and grace, and some of the moments she shares with Julianna are especially tender. Those moments really made the show for me. And let’s not forget Todd Denning as Julianna’s husband, Ian — a caring, genuine man at his wit’s end. 

I realize I’m being annoyingly vague and haven’t given you much to go on plot wise. Variety called The Other Place a “haunting drama, so cleverly constructed that the nature and depth of the problem isn’t revealed until the last shattering scene.” Well that pretty much says it all — without saying much, if you get what I’m saying. 

The point is that The Other Place, as performed by the incredible talent at Next Act, is so very worthwhile — and it’s also worth it to maintain the mystery going into it. When all is finally revealed, you’ll be wowed at the complexity of Julianna’s story and the cunning way it all unfolds. Oh, and you’ll probably need some kleenex.

The Other Place is playing at Milwaukee's Next Act Theatre now through February 26th. Info and tickets at nexact.org.