73 Seconds

Rating:

Company: Portal Theatre

Genre: Storytelling

Venue: 22- MTYP(Richardson Hall)

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For me, the Challenger shuttle explosion is what Portal Theater calls a "flashbulb moment." I was watching when it happened and it stands out for me now as the first time that tragedy and media conflated confusingly before my eyes. I felt the significance of the loss, but also distanced from it by a screen.

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73 Secondsdraws us into that moment, introducing the astronauts who were lost, explaining the science behind the explosion, and framing all with an examination of the incidents cultural and historical impact. It's a fascinating dive into that unforgettable minute-plus, and what followed.

A fascinating dive into a subject that might be better served by a TV documentary.- Kelly Stifora

But Portal's show is as much a lecture as theatre. The performances are earnest but understated and accompanied only by sparse audio and light cues. At points, you'll watch the actors listen to something and find yourself wondering, perhaps ironically, if this subject wouldn't be better served by a TV documentary.