{"id":108683,"date":"2025-03-09T14:22:23","date_gmt":"2025-03-09T21:22:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/?p=108683"},"modified":"2025-03-18T20:58:43","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T03:58:43","slug":"doomers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/doomers\/","title":{"rendered":"DOOMERS"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A Sharp, Funny, and Terrifying Look at AI\u2019s Future<\/strong><\/p>\n

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If you\u2019ve ever wanted to watch a bunch of brilliant, self-important tech types tear each other apart while sitting close enough to dodge the metaphorical (and maybe literal) shrapnel, DOOMERS<\/em> is your show. Matthew Gasda\u2019s latest play, staged in the intimate Pallas Gallery, doesn\u2019t just invite you into the world of an imploding AI company\u2014it plunks you right down in the middle of it, where you can feel the heat from the egos and the existential dread in real time.<\/span><\/p>\n

And when we say intimate, we mean intimate<\/em>. No cushy separation between actors and audience, no towering set pieces\u2014just a rug marking the boundaries of the battlefield. The actors are working with about as much personal space as you\u2019d get on a packed subway car, which makes it all the more thrilling when tensions flare. There were moments when you could practically see the wheels turning in their heads\u2014half from character motivation, half from trying not to trip over our feet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Act 1: The War Room \u2013 Enter the Mad Genius<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

We open in the offices of MindMesh, where Seth, the freshly booted, maybe-brilliant, maybe-certifiable CEO, is huddled with his loyalists, trying to figure out whether to fight, flee, or burn it all down. Seth sees himself as the only one who can properly birth Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) into the world, and his disciples range from true believers to those just hoping not to go down with the ship. It\u2019s a fast, funny, and deeply unsettling portrait of ambition unhinged, as Seth works the room like a cornered chess grandmaster who still thinks he\u2019s five moves ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n

Act 2: The Boardroom \u2013 Meet the \u201cResponsible\u201d Adults<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Over in the corporate boardroom, the so-called \u201cAI doomers\u201d are trying to steer the company\u2014and possibly humanity\u2014away from the abyss. Or are they? Turns out, their definitions of responsibility<\/em> and ethics<\/em> vary widely, and as the discussions wear on, it becomes clear that just because Seth is gone doesn\u2019t mean the danger is. Backstabbing, grandstanding, and a bombshell revelation about Seth\u2019s next move turn this act into a slow-burning ethical minefield, leaving the audience to wonder whether these people have humanity\u2019s best interests in mind\u2014or just their own.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Production That Blurs the Line Between AI and Theater<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

One of the more unusual aspects of DOOMERS<\/em> is how artificial intelligence was integrated into its creative process. The playbill lists ChatGPT and Claude\u2014two AI language models\u2014as official dramaturgs, a role typically reserved for human researchers who assist with script development, thematic refinement, and historical context.<\/span><\/p>\n

While AI tools are increasingly used in creative writing and editing, it\u2019s rare for them to receive formal credit in a live theater production. Given that DOOMERS<\/em> itself explores AI\u2019s role in shaping the future, this could be a meta-commentary, an artistic experiment, or simply a nod to the evolving relationship between technology and the arts. Regardless, it raises intriguing questions about authorship and collaboration\u2014how much of the script was influenced by AI, and what does it mean for the future of theater when machines contribute to storytelling?<\/span><\/p>\n

An Outstanding Ensemble Cast<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

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Photo credits Ash Baker.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The performances are uniformly strong, with Sam Hyrkin delivering a compelling mix of arrogance and desperation as Seth. Emily Keyishian\u2019s Myra and Arup Chakrabarti\u2019s Sanjay provide a sharp counterbalance, navigating the chaos Seth leaves behind. The full cast includes:<\/span><\/p>\n