Dealing With Crippling Grief Is At Center of Theatre Lab’s The Impossible Task of Today

By Oline H. Cogdill

For some, grief is a long haul, the raw pangs never subsiding, but thriving, almost dictating a person’s daily actions even years later. At least that’s the way it is for Jack Jordan, the center of the emotionally gripping The Impossible Task of Today, a world premiere making its debut as part of Theatre Lab’s annual Owl New Play Festival. The festival runs through April 20 on the Boca Raton campus of Florida Atlantic University (FAU).

Most new plays need several productions to settle into a final complete script. But The Impossible Task of Today by FAU alumni Jeff Bower hits the stage fully realized with a tight script that mixes the right amount of humor to explore serious issues of mental health, intrusive social media and gun violence through its completely developed characters. Only a tiny bit of tweaking is needed. First seen at Theatre Lab during readings in 2023, The Impossible Task of Today also is graced with taut staging by director Matt Stabile, Theatre Lab’s Producing Artistic Director.

The Owl New Play Festival continues Theatre Lab’s mission of championing new work.

Five years after a tragedy upended his life, Jack Jordan (a wonderful Iain Batchelor) is an agoraphobic who teaches English to children in China remotely. His favorite student is Yo Yo (an energetic Sarah Sun Park) with whom he has one of the few relationships he allows himself. Even then, Jack uses a large colorful puppet to interact with Yo Yo. This device entertains the girl but also allows Jack a shield against any deeper connection. He’s quite good at video gaming, especially with Lynne Lall (a solid Vaishnavi Sharma), a compassionate old friend who has a link to his past. He seems to genuinely like building manager Val Pena (a thoughtful Kaelyn A. Gonzalez) but must force himself to talk with her when she drops by. His closest friendship may be with Frank Wallace (a caring Anthony Blatter) who delivers groceries every Wednesday. The most in-depth conversation Jack has is with Frank—over whether avocadoes should go in the fridge or on the counter.

These characters come in, but Jack cannot bear to walk out through his apartment door—the door knob seems frozen anytime he tries to turn it to leave. His most constant companion is what the playwright has named The Dark—a lithe wraith dressed in black rags who haunts his days and nights wrapping him in dark thoughts, refusing to let go. Wordlessly, Nicole Perry makes this character the odd mix of the scary, intrusive and comforting using only well-timed movements.

Jack’s life revolves around the hour he teaches online, sleeping and drinking and the occasional video game with Lynne. But the daily tasks that most of us do automatically elude Jack — folding laundry, showering. As his mental health slid, so has his hygiene. That he needs to make a change becomes Jack’s refrain, but he is banking that external things, not his own resolve, will achieve that. The exercise machine Tower of Power will get him back in shape, he says. But the company refuses to deliver the heavy machine up to his seventh-floor apartment as the building has no elevator. And will putting it together be too daunting?

The believability of The Impossible Task of Today hinges on the right Jack and Iain Batchelor invests mightily into the character, showing him grief-stricken, frustrated with himself yet unable to change, occasionally erupting into anger, lashing out at those who care about him so he can keep them at arm’s length. Batchelor shows how Jack’s grief affects him physically and emotionally. Jack avoids social media, which has been toxic to him. He bans cell phones in his apartment, requiring anyone who enters to put their phones in a box labeled “trash.” Batchelor makes Jack both empathetic and sympathetic.

Yet Jack has forgotten to be empathetic toward others. Each of the characters is dealing with their own tragedies and sadness, another topic Bower subtly explores. But Jack sees only his own pain.

Bower’s decision to dole out what tragedy pushed Jack over the edge adds to the tension and further expounds on Bower’s themes.

Kudos to the first-rate production values that enhance The Impossible Task of Today. Jack’s studio apartment is awash in the few items essential to Jack—a rumpled couch where he plays video games and sleeps. A rod where a few clothes hang, small kitchen and a little table doubling as a desk where he teaches. Scenic designer Michael McClain and properties designer Jameelah Bailey have created a bare-bones environment that contrasts with the larger issues Jack deals with. Sound designer Matt Corey with assistant sound designer Joel Rodriguez and lighting designer George Horrocks create a habitat befitting Jack’s emotions.

At dinner, just before we attended The Impossible Task of Today, the car next to ours had a sticker that said “Kindness Matter.” A statement that resonated with Bower’s themes.

Theatre Lab’s annual Owl New Play Festival runs through April 20 on the Boca Raton campus of Florida Atlantic University (FAU), For more information and tickets, visit https://fauevents.universitytickets.com/w/packages/PackageDetail.aspx?PackageNewID=214.

Jack’s buddy,Lynne Lall (Vaishnavi Sharma) tries to ease his distancing troubles.

A feature on the entire Festival: https://www.floridatheateronstage.com/features/feature-theatre-lab-new-play-festival-explores-the-happiness-gym/

The Impossible Task of Today on the Heckscher Stage runs through April 19. Performances Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m.; Saturday matinees (3 p.m.) on April 12 and 19. Run time approximate run time: 95 minutes, no intermission. Tickets: $35-$45

The Frankenstein Project by E.M. Lewis on the Marleen Forkas Studio One Theatre runs from April 11-20. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Saturday matinee (April 19) 2:30 p.m. Run time approximately two hours and 30 minutes; with a 15-minute intermission. Tickets: $25

The Happiness Gym: a theatrical exercise in well-being runs from April 12 to 20 in the Brandstar Studio. The Happiness Gym is recommended for ages 16 and up and requires participants to interact with one another, handle lightweight objects, and maneuver throughout a space. Please take these requirements into consideration prior to booking the experience. Performances are Saturdays at 1, 5 and 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 1 and 3:30 p.m. Run time is approximately 90 minutes. Individual Tickets are $30. Strict limit of 16 participants per session

READINGS OF NEW PLAYS
Held in the Marleen Forkas Studio One Theatre. General Admission, free with donations encouraged

Saturday, April 12; 2:30 p.m.: Donner: An American Musical Tragedy by Cait Siobhan Kiley and Joel Rodriguez

Sunday, April 13; noon: Original work from high school students in Theatre Lab’s LabRATS program

Wednesday, April 16; 7 p.m.: Original short plays, scenes, and monologues from students in FAU’s Playwriting 101

Saturday, April 19; noon: The Last Queen of San Domino by Chandler Hubbard; 2025 Fair Play Initiative Commission