A Look at Our Digital Zeitgeist

Exploring Periods of Change

The (Curious Case of the) Watson Intelligence is a dialogue driven play that explores the relationship and conflict between technology and humanity, from the 19th Century wireless, to the digital world we live in today, as well as a look into what the future could hold, and various other issues.

Played by three actors in several different roles, all of whom are outstanding, the play time travels here and there, now in a fierce contemporary scene between Eliza, a coding genius who worked on the computer Watson, and the new computer she is building that will be a loving best friend to each individual who owns one; now in a screed by a would-be politician named Merrick aimed at a computer tech named Watson; now in an early 20th Century meeting between the fictional Dr. Watson and his contemporary Eliza, wife of an industrialist. Also included is an aged Thomas Watson, who received the first phone call from Alexander Graham Bell.

The Many Watsons

All of the Watsons are played by Brendan Didio, who is spot on as Eliza’s computer robot, as a tech who works for the Dweeb Team, as Dr. Watson, and as Thomas Watson. He clearly defines each character, and expertly transforms from the insular nerd Watson into the passionate lover of Eliza. He represents the human desire for deep connection, and clearly embodies that role.

Emily Yancy is Eliza in a stellar performance. She struggles with being vulnerable, and retreats to the bathroom or her computer when things get too intense for her. She downs bourbon and Twizzlers, while speaking reams of dialogue that require her to spew computer-speak so rapidly, one imagines her words can barely keep up with her thoughts. She is the modern woman dynamo, a sweet lover, a worried 19th Century matron being experimented upon by her industrialist husband, and a radio announcer trying to get the elderly Thomas Watson to keep to the program. Her facial expressions and wide-eyed stare add to the depth of the characters she portrays.

David Hayes is Merrick, a nasty man in both major roles he plays. And he plays them very well. He fulminates about the state of the government, and why he, as a successful businessman, is the perfect candidate to be city auditor. He is a paranoid man in love with the sound of his own voice, and makes that very clear in how he seems to warm up to his subject as he keeps talking, and then keeps talking. If the playwright was being paid by the word, he would be her favorite character. Mr. Hayes pulls it off with panache, in rageful monologues that remind one of why remote controls are such a wonderful invention, making it possible to instantly change the channel. He does a great job as both very unlikeable men.

Electronic trash is piled up on either side of the stage on the set by Dyan Burlingame. From rotary phones, to transistor radios, to various iterations of computers and cell phones, the piles are a reminder of just how quickly technology changes and changes lives in the process.

Interplay of Themes and Ideas

John Hurley directed this fine cast in a play that seems as if it is not quite sure what it wants to say. It is as if the idea of the four Watsons seemed like a good one to the playwright, Madeleine George, tying the world-changing 19th Century invention of the telephone together with the 21st Century AI advances. Trying to fit them all together into a time traveling whole was not entirely successful. Themes of corrupt politicians, abused wives, love triangles, the struggle between maintaining one’s humanity in the face of technology are all brought to the table, but do not add up to a complete meal in the end. However, this is an interesting play to watch, and the acting is quite wonderful.