Theater: “I Love You So Much, I Could Die” @ NYTW

In his later years, Miles Davis played trumpet with his back to the audience. The reason for this behavior, he said, was to better give cues and signals to his band. This invariably resulted in something magical. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Mona Pirnot’s “I Love You So Much I Could Die.” (NYTW)

This 55-minute, one-woman show consists of Pirnot similarly sitting with her back to the audience, playing her guitar and warbling tunes you might have heard in a New Brunswick coffeehouse circa 1973. In between the songs (the musical director is Will Butler, a former member of Arcade Fire—go figure), she relates a very cryptic story about a bad turn in her sister’s life and its impact on the rest of the family. She spends time in various grief-therapy groups which, if you’re not a member of the family, is somewhat less than fascinating.

What’s even more curious is that the words are not spoken by Pirnot but recited in a male voice via Microsoft “David”, a speech-to-text application. The effect is often weird and oddly comical. The gimmick wears out fast. Really fast.

“I Love You”‘ is directed by Lucas Hnath, Pirnot’s partner, who has directed somewhat more high-purpose productions in the past (e.g., “A Doll’s House, Part Two.”) My advice? Stay home and put Miles on the turntable.

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