Mac Rogers' VIRAL at Fringe Encores

Last night, I saw Mac Rogers' "Viral" at the Fringe Encores series at the Soho Playhouse. I had not seen any of Rogers' plays before, and he’s a real talent. “Viral” is creepy, sickening and brilliant – a play about a woman who wants to commit suicide, and then falls in with a group of losers in Portland with a very disturbing fetish. It has humor but is most definitely not a comedy. The cast is exceptionally strong across the board. Great acting, great direction – nobody is who they seem to be, and they all hold back from commenting on the ghoulishness of the characters. It’s an engrossing play, and Rogers refuses to tell you what to think of these people. Two performances left, Saturday and Sunday.