Photo by Meg Moore/megpix.com; Kathryn Van Meter as Trudy.

Presented by Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Written by Jane Wagner
Directed by Courtney Sale
Featuring Kathryn Van Meter

October 2-20, 2024
Nancy L. Donahue Theatre at Liberty Hall
50 E. Merrimack St.
Lowell, MA

Online Playbill

Run Time: approx. 2 hours 25 minutes including one 15-minute intermission

Please note the following content advisories: Adult Language, Death by Suicide, Suicide Ideation, Drug Use, Sexual Violence

Review by Craig Idlebrook

LOWELL, Mass. — There is a tightrope act-feel to a one-person show, as audiences can become painfully aware there is nowhere for the performer to hide, or even catch a breath. Flubbed lines, low energy, or a lack of connection to the source material can lead to a long night for both actor and audience.

Luckily for the audience of Merrimack Repertory Theater’s The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, Kathryn Van Meter (Trudy) deftly dodges all potential pitfalls of a solo performer. She works hand-in-hand within the exquisite source material provided by playwright Jane Wagner for us to see the interconnectedness between an off-kilter woman living on the streets and the universe. Continue reading →