Taking the Plunge (Pandora Productions)

Swimming in the Shallows Written by Adam Bock Directed by Gil Reyes

Review by Erin Hargan

Entire contents are copyright © 2026 Erin Hargan. All rights reserved.

Pandora Productions’ staging of Adam Bock’s Swimming in the Shallows is a quirky, offbeat comedy that moves between whimsy and sincerity, exploring loneliness, love, and the ways people search for connection. This production balances humor with moments of real emotional depth, and draws the audience into a world that feels both strange and unexpectedly familiar.

The stage design was simple and effective, featuring benches arranged to suggest a beach setting and a mirrored backdrop that created the shifting reflections of an aquarium. The aquarium represents the characters’ fear of vulnerability, trapping them in routines that prevent a deeper plunge into commitment.

The play features three very different romantic relationships. One centers on Barb (Tiffany Lavoie), who has recently embraced Buddhist ideals and is trying to detach from material possessions, and her husband Bob (Ryan Lash). Barb and Bob’s relationship highlights the tension between personal transformation and shared history, showing how difficult it can be for two people to stay connected when one is changing in ways the other can’t fully understand or accept. Lavoie and Lash bring humor and authenticity to their character’s strained dynamic.

Donna (Abby Ferree) and Carla (Rayann Walker) are a couple in love, and their relationship is shaped by challenges many audiences will recognize. As they plan their wedding, they navigate trust issues and a fear of commitment that complicate their path forward. Ferree and Walker bring real sincerity to these roles, grounding the relationship in honesty and making their struggles feel both relatable and emotionally genuine.

Finally, there is the relationship between Nick and The Shark, which stands out as the most unusual and symbolic in the play. Their connection blurs the line between reality and imagination, with The Shark often reflecting Nick’s inner fears, desires, and emotional isolation. Together, they create a mix of humor and unease that reveals Nick’s struggle to understand himself and the world around him. Zachary Boone keeps Nick grounded and emotionally open, playing the role in a way that allows the audience to clearly feel his vulnerability. Jared Auton plays The Shark, giving physical form to the emotions Nick experiences; even though The Shark can be unpredictable and dangerous, there is a clear connection between him and Nick.

This production is a thoughtful and engaging piece that finds meaning in awkward moments, humor, and emotional honesty. Unconventional at times, it leaves the audience with a clear sense of the characters’ longing to understand themselves and each other. If you’re looking for a standard, predictable romantic comedy, this probably isn’t the show for you. But if you want to experience a smart, funny, and genuinely unique story, Pandora Productions’ production of Adam Bock’s Swimming in the Shallows is worth seeing!

Swimming in the Shallows Pandora Productions

May 15, 16, 28, 29, 30 at 7:30pm May 16, 17, 30 at 2:30pm May 17 at 5:30pm

Henry Clay Theatre

604 S 3rd St

Louisville, KY 40202

https://www.pandoraprods.org/