[CREDIT: Mark Turek] Kortney Adams and Jackie Davis play very different people in "The Roommate" a comedic clash of personalities.

[CREDIT: Mark Turek] Kortney Adams and Jackie Davis in "The Roommate." — [CREDIT: Mark Turek] Kortney Adams and Jackie Davis bond over medicinal herbs in “The Roommate.”

PROVIDENCE, RI — Anyone who has ever shared a living space with a stranger will find plenty to relate to in Trinity Rep’s “The Roommate,” a comedy about two women with very different personalities.

Robyn (Jackie Davis) and Sharon (Kortney Adams, making her Trinity Rep. debut) are sharing a house in Iowa. Robyn left New York City in search of a new life.

Sharon has an uneasy relationship with her son, who’s a fashion designer. Robyn is a “slam” poet and a vegan.

“I like to grow things,” Robyn explains.

The women bond after Robyn shares her stash of “medicinal herbs” with Sharon.

After Sharon discovers that Robyn has been involved in some criminal activities, the relationship between the roommates heads in a new and unexpected direction.

Robyn is continually amazed by the bizarre comments that come out of Sharon’s mouth.

Initially, the audience is amused by the things Sharon does. But after awhile, her demeanor in the aftermath of malicious activity is kind of disturbing.

Sharon doesn’t hold back from what’s on her mind, which leads to a lot of the play’s funniest moments. A highlight is Sharon’s pleasure after smoking Robyn’s marijuana. Adams masterfully conveys Sharon’s drastic personality change as she learns to let her hair down.

Director Curt Columbus stages the action entirely in Sharon’s kitchen, where the women share truths about themselves. Scenic designer Edward T. Morris gives the surroundings a low-key ambiance.

Davis (“Fences”) and Adams exhibit sharp comic timing. These two actresses share a stage for two hours and are never less than captivating to watch.

Playwright Jen Silverman supplies the characters with witty dialogue as they discover new truths about themselves and each other.

Sharon has been living a sheltered existence. She finds something in Robyn which liberates her. I won’t spoil what happens, except to say that Sharon discovers the person she always wanted to be but never had the willpower to act out.

“The Roommate” is an entertaining show, although I have reservations about it from a moral standpoint. Sharon and Robyn make some questionable choices. I have no problem with bad behavior in stories. Some of the most famous plays of all time feature characters committing despicable acts like adultery and murder. However, the writers of those plays don’t attempt to glorify the inhumanity of their characters or try to glamorize it in any way. William Shakespeare isn’t holding Macbeth up as a role model.

The problem here is Silverman seems to be endorsing actions which have the effect of hurting other people. Initially, the audience is amused by the things Sharon does. But after awhile, her demeanor in the aftermath of malicious activity is kind of disturbing.

As for Robyn, she never expresses an iota of remorse or regret for the crimes she committed. That’s not a judgment, just an observation.

What matters is the crackling chemistry between Davis and Adams. The superior work of these performers make this a worthwhile way to spend a few hours on a cold winter’s night.

The Roommate runs through March 19. Trinity Repertory Company. 201 Washington Street, Providence, RI. Runtime is 100 minutes without intermission. For tickets, call 401-351-4242 or visit www.trinityrep.com.

Author: Joe Siegel

Joe Siegel is a regular contributing writer for WarwickPost.com. His reporting has appeared in The Sun Chronicle in Attleboro and EDGE.

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