Who hasn’t been tripped up by the slip of a finger while texting with family or been infuriated with ducking autocorrect? Who hasn’t had their message misunderstood because tone and attitude can’t be conveyed via modern communication methods? Who hasn’t mistakenly wished for the death of their grandfather in a text chain with a sibling and then found themselves exploring options for doing so? 

That’s the crux of Matt Schatz’s The Burdens, a darkly comic two-hander now running at The 222 in Healdsburg through June 1.

Jane (Lizzie Calogero) and Mordy (Brady Morales-Woolery) are siblings who, like most families these days, communicate almost exclusively via text, email, and voicemail. Jane is a high-powered attorney living in New Jersey. Mordy is a musician trying to make it in Hollywood but working as a pharmacist’s assistant. While separated by distance, they are joined by their mutual loathing of their abusive grandfather ‘Zad Zad’. 

During one text session, Jane wonders if their grandfather really appreciates what his daughter, their mother, does for him. Mordy responds that he hopes he does, except that he hits the letter “i” after “d” instead of “o”. The problem is, Jane quickly agrees. And she thinks they should do something about it. What follows is a series of texts, emails, and voicemails as they debate, plan, and eventually attempt to execute (literally) their plan. 

A series of texts, emails, and voicemails? An entire show whose dialogue consists of digital communication? 

Yep, and it works.

Director Jennifer King and her cast meet the challenge head on and bring the characters alive as the messages are enacted with all the intent, emotion, and humor that electronic communication lacks. Their delivery is to the audience, not each other as they never acknowledge each other’s presence on the stage. It’s as if the audience is the midpoint between the flow of bits and bytes of data between the two. It also illustrates how unconnected we really are from each other when utilizing a technology that’s supposed to bring us together.

Beyond the issues of the pitfalls of modern communication (or miscommunication), Schatz’s brisk 75-minute play delves into the family dynamic, especially the bond and battles between siblings. While you may not relate to their desire for killing their grandfather, you may relate to their desire, after things go a bit haywire, to kill each other. 

While I think it cops out a bit at the end, The Burdens is a pretty funny look at the perils of letting your fingers do the talkin’.

‘The Burdens’ runs through June 1 at The 222. 222 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. Fri & Sat, 7:00 pm; Sun, 2 pm. $45-$105. Students free with ID. 707.473.9152. the222.org

Photos by Eric Chazankin

This review originally appeared in an edited version in the North Bay Bohemian and Healdsburg Tribune.