PISS.jpg is an outstanding piece of absurdism. Except for Justin Jager and Michael Gardner exploring every type of mental health disorder you might imagine with tongue firmly in cheek, it may be said that there is absolutely no significant purpose in this exercise. Autism, bipolar disorder, narcissism, sadomasochism, and schizophrenia are all treated with an eye to humor rather than sympathy or empathy.  The result is hilarious.

Either Jager and Gardiner, with help from Daniel Yalullo’s exquisite direction, are absolute acting geniuses or they have rehearsed this play much more than any festival offering should ever be rehearsed.  They often speak and perform in perfect unison – a feat difficult on any stage.  The costume changes aren’t many, but they are carried out magically, both on stage and off.  The lighting design (Sara Hansen) in the Paradise Factory’s Black Box is fantastic given the limitations of the small space.

There is really no reason to not to see the story of these two “brothers”, either by blood or choose, who go through life alternately loving and hating each other and sometimes both simultaneously.  Sometimes murderous and sometimes caring, they are (unfortunately for those of us who want life to be better) very, very human. 

Anyone who wants to see how absurdism should be done should rush to see PISS.jpg before it closes in the ManiFestival.  It will let you know that the next time you see a bad absurdist show it’s them and not you. Faith Pasch and Matt Bader have done an excellent job curating this first-time festival, but this might be the gem of the 4 weeks of shows.