If you’re the type who, the moment a movie starts and the lights dim, your eyelids feel like they’ve got dumbbells strapped to them — or if you just need your phone nearby because you know Veronica was texting Justin, but Sarah doesn’t know yet and someone’s gotta tell her — well then, Red Barn Theatre has the perfect show for you.
On April 8, the Barn presented its 2025 edition of “Short Attention Span Theatre: Alternative Facts,” a six-part anthology of 10-minute plays.
With brevity comes beauty (I think I’ve always said that?), and “Short Attention Span Theatre” is the perfect mix of funny, loving, heartbreaking and timely. The bite-sized plays keep the audience wanting more as the night rolls on.
Before the show, Mimi McDonald — managing director and founding member of the Red Barn — offers a quick disclaimer to the audience: “Now I just want everyone to know that all of these plays were chosen before the election — so make of that what you will as you’re watching.”
Each play bounces among genres. One minute you’re cackling, the next you’re sitting in a somber mood, really weighing out the tone of what you saw. Despite their variety, all the plays circled back to the connecting theme of “alternative facts.” In one way or another, each play deals with the idea of truth and who controls the narratives.
The same six actors play wildly different roles across the performances, showcasing their range and commitment to the craft. Nina Pilar, Erin McKenna, Mathias Maloff, Cassidy Timms and Zach Franchini portray everything from a Jersey theater goer, a disguised knight, a manic girlfriend, a Russian waiter and a broadcast news anchor.
One of the snack-sized plays that resonated with me personally came during “Incident on the Golden Gate Bridge” by David MacGregor. It’s a story about purpose, perspective and the assumption that the grass is always greener on the other side. The play follows a man standing on a bridge, contemplating whether to jump. Through conversations with a few passing strangers, he begins to reassess his life. At first, he assumes everyone else has their dream job and is out there truly doing something. But as the dialogue unfolds, it becomes clear just how deceptive those assumptions can be. It’s a reminder that constantly comparing ourselves to others comes with its own set of worries.
This kind of rapid-fire storytelling might be one of the most relevant formats for our time. In an age of ever-increasing screen time and shortened forms of entertainment, there’s something incredibly poignant about art that moves quickly, but hits deeply. It’s impressive, and leave it to the Red Barn to showcase our unfolding cultural movements, huh?
As with all opening nights, Red Barn welcomed guests with catered food from Hard Rock Café, creating a space for audience members and cast to mingle and celebrate.“Short Attention Span Theatre: Alternative Facts” runs through May 3. Tickets are available at keystix.com, redbarntheatre.com, or by calling the box office at 305-296-9911.
