'Walden' review — Emmy Rossum and Zoë Winters are twins with space between them
Read our review of Walden off Broadway, a New York-premiere play written by Amy Berryman and directed by Whitney White, playing through November 24 only.
“I’d like to toast the earth. For hosting us.” This is Amy Berryman’s Walden, a living room play set in an isolated, end-of-world-ready cabin in the not-so-distant future. There, sisters Stella and Cassie, and Cassie’s boyfriend Bryan, confront an uncertain future that could lie either on Earth or in space. Though the state of the Earth is painted in broad brushstrokes, the political circumstances of Walden are clear — you are either an Earth advocate like Bryan (Motell Foster), you’re Mars-curious like Cassie (Zoë Winters), or you’re Stella, the doe-eyed Emmy Rossum who advocates for NASA, Earth — and wine, here a rarity as much as being twins or astronauts.
These characters are surrounded by Matt Saunders's set design, a marvel. The cabin is armored in corrugated iron and furnished with all the homey trimmings of a fancy, off-the-grid Airbnb, and you can play find-the-hidden-object during moments of prolonged sisterly bickering. It’s during these times that the play deviates from its namesake — a book written by the American transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau, who wrote his Walden after spending two years alone in a self-built cabin to live a simple life of spirituality and environmentalism. Thoreau, however, did not have his sibling with him.
In what can only be described as a nod to pandemic-induced isolation, Tony Award-nominated director Whitney White ensures that the most sensitive and private conversations are shared within earshot of the third cabin-dweller. Winters, Rossum, and Foster all take on a satisfying Shakespearean candor when talking to and about each other. There is no hiding; there are no tricks.
Walden summary
After a world premiere in London’s West End, followed by a U.S. debut in 2021 at Theater Works Hartford, Walden is receiving its Off-Broadway debut. Taking its name from Thoreau’s classic, Walden follows ex-NASA architect Stella and her partner Bryan, who live off the land in the woods. She is a brazen NASA botanist at the forefront of space adventure, as well as Cassie’s estranged twin sister. When Cassie arrives, the two women are forced to confront the space between them and whether their relationship can survive the harshness of ambition, solitude and destiny. Berryman's play is a meditation on the human condition, the complexities of siblinghood, and what "home" means: to have one, to be one, and to lose one.
What to expect at Walden
Walden is a 90-minute play with no intermission. The story situates unusual characters in close quarters with a ticking time bomb. In the case of Walden, the twins are astronauts, the cabin is snug, and the bomb is climate change. The conversational tone throughout does little to reassure any concerns around the latter.
Those familiar with Thoreau’s Walden will recognize nuanced references to the philosopher and his findings. For those who aren’t, there is plenty to be discovered in the sci-fi plot. This dichotomy of old philosophy and futuristic space tech is deeply satisfying, and the friction keeps Walden engaging throughout. An exciting soundscape waits patiently in the wings for its debut toward the latter half of the play and provides a delightful injection of flavor before a sentimental close.
What audiences are saying about Walden
As of publication, Walden received a 79% audience approval rating on the site Show-Score, compiled from 64 reviews.
- “Interesting and entertaining and plausible dialog on the climate crisis and whether the future of humanity lies on earth or colonizing space. Good acting and story, though half star off for a slightly chaotic ending.” - Show-Score user Show Addict
- “As a sci-fi appreciator and eco-conscious friendly, it was a gift to witness this play inspire the audience into conversation - into decisions of Team Earth, our present vs. Team Space, planetary exploration to build humanity’s future.” - Instagram user @nataliehoynyc
- "Thought-provoking play, asking many important questions while not being overly heavy. It felt human, relatable, engaging. I left the play wanting this conversation to continue, to learn more, and asking myself even more questions. Very solid acting by all three main cast, nicely written and simple yet effective set/light/sound design. Definitely worth seeing." - Show-Score user Inka
Read more audience reviews of Walden on Show-Score.
Who should see Walden
- If you’re a fan of Henry David Thoreau's works, especially Walden, or if you have an interest in transcendentalist philosophy, this one's for you.
- Those who have watched Shameless or otherwise followed Emmy Rossum’s career as an actress will enjoy seeing her in Walden.
- If you don’t necessarily count yourself as a theatre fanatic, but are interested the possibilities of space travel, you might be interested in how the show deals with these topics.
- Those who enjoy an intellectual, conversational play, which emphasizes subtle but complex changes in the emotional state of characters, will find it in Walden.
Learn more about Walden off Broadway
Walden is a unique tale of women pursuing their dreams in a dystopian landscape with an enchanting set and a banquet of food for thought.
Photo credit: Walden off Broadway. (Photos by Joan Marcus)
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