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“Ladies and Gentlemen, what you’re about to see is … ” Those magical words, a haunting score, mystical lighting and ghostlike projections ranging in eerie colors set the tone for “As We Lie Still” at Contemporary Theatre of Dallas (CTD).

Friday night’s audience was mesmerized, right up to its standing ovation. “As We Lie Still,” (AWLS) which continues its run at CTD through Nov. 20, was created by local, award winning artists Patrick Emile, who wrote the music and lyrics, and Olivia de Guzman Emile, who wrote the book. This is its Southwest premiere, following an Off-Broadway run in 2014 at the New York Musical Fringe Festival. The well-grounded production was directed by respected Dallas director and former Broadway veteran Michael Serrecchia, who directed the New York production as well, both with his own Serrecchia brand of magic.

Christopher Soden

Sharp Critic

November 4, 2016

...As We Lie Still reflects upon fine distinctions: between spiritualism and enchantment, dedication and obsession, resignation and acceptance. And certainly, the nature of genuine love in the midst of deeply flawed humanity. A master stroke, I think, is the presence of Billy (Jovane Camaano) a somewhat “slow” and utterly loyal helper to Avi, whose unabashed sense of awe mirrors our own, as Avi reveals wonders to the audience. There is something about this show’s strange mixture of chicanery and the metaphysical, the guileless and the cunning, that seems to strike a nearly perfect balance. Like a chart of the planets in their concentric orbits. It sneaks up and gets under your skin, until you feel that little catch in your throat, and that rush of buried feelings.