Sargent Theatre
6 December 2025
Danny and the Deep Blue Sea exemplifies a statement that I have long considered true: Theatre is a place of healing.
In a note in the playbill it states, “It is encouraged to attend this play without prior knowledge of the story”. Due to this, I will be as intentionally vague as possible while also expressing everything I can.
This show is rough, it’s raw, it’s realistic, it’s organic, it’s emotional, and I think it would be difficult for any audience member to witness this show without either seeing themselves or someone they love in the characters.
This play seems so simple: one act, two actors, three scenes — that’s it. Most of the scenery is black or the characters reference something that is off stage and not visible to the audience. Which allows for the focus to be on the actors and the actors alone.
The characters of Danny (played by James Liddell) and Roberta (played by Tashia Gates) are damaged goods — or at least that is how they each view themselves. The characters expand through the show as we witness them try to come to terms with how they see themselves versus how other people see them. This play has moments of violence: one character may hit another or push another or strike another, but it is not a story about violence. It’s a story about vulnerability, desire, love, loss, forgiveness, not feeling worthy, and so much more.
Both actors give all of themselves in this performance. The characters have panic attacks, see through the mask that the other wears (whether or not they want anyone to see through it), fight, dream of possibilities, have hope, as they just try. And the chemistry between the two stars is absolutely phenomenal. It had to be. In a show that requires hitting each other, there needs to be trust between the actors. A show that is as emotionally raw as this one, there needs to be not just chemistry, but realistic chemistry between the actors and this play nailed it.
I know without doubt just how well this show hit the mark and resonated because of how the audience responded. Between audible gasps, laughter at the dark humour (laughter is a vital part of the healing process after all), and the audience member in front of me who sobbed because he saw so much of himself in the characters on stage — the power of this show is very evident.
Written by John Patrick Shanley and brilliantly directed by Tessa Welsch (who is also an intimacy coordinator, which I imagine to be particularly helpful for this show), Danny and the Deep Blue Sea shows the audience themselves on stage. Everyone is damaged in some way or another. Who of us has not felt unworthy? Or blamed ourselves for things beyond our control? Or have just been so hurt that we desperately try to run from anyone or anything that could potentially harm us — even if those same things could potentially love us? Who hasn’t put up walls? Or worn a mask (or even multiple ones varying from person to person and situation to situation)?
Every once in a while, though, we meet someone who sees through the mask we wear. Someone who sees our heart, our pain, our shame, and doesn’t care because despite everything, they see through our defences and can see who we are deep down inside. Sometimes even after we can no longer see who we are anymore ourselves.
Dr. Cynthia Hsiung and Nick Milodragovich, the Co-Executive Producers of this production presented this show as: “A gift to those who might suffer and feel unheard. The hope is, this production of a very human story might touch, connect, and spread understanding”.
This show succeeds in being a gift. Theatre is a place of healing. All of us are damaged. Whether we see ourselves in Danny or Roberta or we see our loved ones in the characters — Danny and the Deep Blue Sea will make you feel seen, even when you want to hide. Shows like this allow the audience to reflect on themselves and heal from our damage, our trauma, our feelings, our self doubts by so realistically and organically conveying the intensity of the emotions felt.
I just wish it were longer. When you see yourself or your loved ones in the characters, you want to know how, and if, everything will work out. This show leaves you wanting more not because the story isn’t complete, but because it relates so well that you yearn to know how it will end in your own personal life.