“You’re getting closer and closer to reality!”

“And you’re getting FURTHER AND FURTHER away from it!”

In Erik Champney’s immersive psychological thriller DEAD BRAINS, now playing at Feverdream Lounge at New York City’s Baker Falls, we meet New York City couple Henry (John Pratt) and Philly (Charity Schubert).  The pair have, shall we say, an “intense” relationship which is governed by very specific rules.  Their partnership involves having erased their (presumably traumatic) histories and immersing themselves in their newly created identities.  In other words, their so-called “success”– both as individuals and as a couple–seems to be dependent on keeping the past well in the past.    Henry is an artist who has become famous thanks to an outré Barbie-themed piece, nicknamed “Hitler Barbie”.  Of course, his “talent” is only part of his calling card.  Henry is handsome: the kind of handsome that’s not only distracting, but also more than a little bit dangerous. Of course, Henry knows just how good-looking he is. Underneath the glossy surface, Henry’s artistic roots seem to originate from the underground world of snuff movies: The theme for his upcoming show is “the suffering of women”, with a prospective piece being named “Eve Bleeds”.   Henry’s female counterpart, Philly, can more than hold her own in this relationship.  Early on in DEAD BRAINS, she declares, “I’m not a woman.  I’m a GODDESS. Know your place!”” She also knows enough about Henry’s forbidden past to psychologically “keep him in line”: So much is said when she tells Henry: “I know exactly where the money from the first series came from.” (For the audience, two guesses won’t be necessary.)

Despite the pair’s desire to keep their pasts buried, Henry’s childhood memories bubble up above the surface, which motivates him to go further and further with his depraved fantasies artistic vision.  For Henry, it seems that can only be done via a mix of lust and revenge.  Hence, this macabre Two-Character Play welcomes a third character named Corey (Dylan Goodwin).  Corey joins the scenario after getting “picked up” by Henry at a shoe store.  Originally from Doyline, Louisiana, we wonder how such a seemingly simple soul would even wind up in the urban jungle of New York City.  Impressed by Henry’s counterculture fame and worldliness, Corey consents to go on an old school-style date with the artist.  Revelations about Corey’s past soon come to light.  For the audience, the psychological tension between the two men becomes almost unbearable at the 45-minute mark.  This leads up to a climax which is so intense that it’s difficult to watch– not just for what we see on the stage, but for the play’s unflinching look inside an unapologetically deranged mind hiding behind a well-rehearsed “killer” smile. That said, there’s still one last plot twist in DEAD BRAINS, one which even the most sophisticated aficionados of this genre won’t see coming. 

Henry and Philly, two “vultures of a feather”, are savagely portrayed by John Pratt and Charity Schubert respectively.  The (very) dark humor between the pair, including the back-and-forth bickering between the two, keeps DEAD BRAINS moving at a brisk pace.  An example is when Henry states, “Our relationship is NOT a 12 Step program!”— to which Philly retorts, “Anything involving YOU is a 12 Step program!”  As a 2024 version of the timeless “femme fatale”, Schubert-as-Philly is particularly fun to watch, with her “guided missile” style of speaking. Even as her character proves to be an unrepentant sadist, she still manages to expertly match the color of her accessories (a gun and a flask; What more does a lady need?) to her shade of lipstick and nail polish.  Her preference for red seems to be an almost glaringly obvious reference to her bloodlust.  In the only sympathetic role of the trio of characters, Dylan Goodwin is perfectly cast as Corey. The actors make good use of the intimate space of the Feverdream Lounge.

At one point in DEAD BRAINS, the characters make a reference to Valentine’s Day.  This is appropriate, as this psychological thriller may prove to be the most idiosyncratic “love” story in recent theatrical memory:  It’s as twisted as it is darkly entertaining. 

Baker Falls and Knitting Factory present a site-specific revival of DEAD BRAINS, a psychosexual thriller written and directed by Erik Champney. Performances continue through Sunday, February 18 at the Feverdream Lounge at Baker Falls in the East Village.  Performances are Sundays at 7:30PM. Feverdream Lounge at Baker Falls is located at 101 Ave A, between 6th & 7th Street in the East Village. Running time is 70 minutes. Please be advised DEAD BRAINS contains moments of intense sexuality and violence.  For more information and tickets, visit Tickets for Dead Brains: A Psychosexual Thriller (2/11) | TicketWeb – Feverdream Lounge in New York, US.