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EVERYBODY 
A 15th century play about Death might be the livest show around.  Playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins brings the medieval morality play up front and center for all to look squarely at the most shared and puzzling human question.
Death is portrayed by the irresistible Nancy Robinette, who carries out her mission directed by God, played by Yonatan Gebeyehu (who also doubles as Usher, who “ushers the audience” in to the story as God ushers us into and out of life.) He also plays Understanding!
There is nothing unique to think of life and death as a lottery.
And while death is mysterious, so is who of five fantastic actors or Somebodies are going to play the single role (thought of as Everyman).   Alina Collins Maldonado, Avi Rogue, Kelli Simpkins, Ayana Workman, and Elan Zafir all participate in God’s lottery to see what roles they will take for that performance.  No two shows will be alike, just as no death is like any others.  
While this is impressive since each actor must know the whole script, I could not help but wonder midway through, “What if that one who is Friendship would play the Somebody now facing death?”  This added insight—to put your self in another’s role in life—is one of the many hidden in plain sight messages.
Since death comes to all, the stage is appropriately presented as any time through lightening and the simplest of props. Balloons are created by our breathe, and will eventually lose their air—a most appropriate symbol for our life and death. Colors and music are metaphors for moods. 
While the lottery picks who will be the Somebody of the Day, there are several roles that do not change, such as Ahmad Kamal as Love who accompanies Somebody to the end.  Clare Carys O’Connell  plays both a young girl and Time.  She and Death will walk off together from the stage clouded  with white balloons and strewn with skeletons.  
Everybody won’t answer the big question it poses, but it provides realizations  to consider about our end while enjoying some laughs along the way. 
Most fittingly, I saw this on Nov. 2, also known as All Souls’ Day.
At THE SHAKESPEARE THEATRE COMPANY 

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