NARROWSBURG, NY — Whenever anyone has the opportunity to see a new play, they can engage in it without preconceptions based on other productions. 

The program for Mando Alvarado’s “(O)n the 5:31” at the Tusten Theatre, which was performed  August 2-4, was presented with a synopsis of the play. 

This was unnecessary. Whatever takes place on the stage should be experienced directly. The play should stand alone without preface or explanation. Whatever it needs to communicate should be able to be communicated in the performance. Isn’t that what live theater is about?

Alvarado clearly communicates the intersection of three lives and the results of that encounter in love, loss and longing.

The drama is about desire and dysfunction. But the elements of personal attraction that draw the three characters toward each other could be expanded, along with the eroticism of the content.

The DVAA production was directed by the author, which can often be problematic. In this case, the pace of the performance was like a fast read of a script. The very capable actors were not offered opportunities for pause and nuance. The play thundered ahead like a train trying to arrive in the station on time.

That was unfortunate, because one of the things that makes this work so interesting is the way it plays with time travel through alternate realities, with the fourth wall rising and dissolving throughout the script. But its pacing blurred the content and weakened the emotional power, which is obviously inherent in the play.

“(O)n the 5:31” premiered in East Hampton and will undoubtedly go elsewhere after the performance in Narrowsburg. It would be terrific to have it come back to the valley after it has been developed further.

 “(O)n the 5:31” by Mando Alvarado, stars Ivette Dumeng, Tucker Lewis and Raye Levine Spielberg. Amber Schmidt is the stage manager, Sean Grese is light and sound. Graphics are by Joe Pallister.