Infinite Black Suitcase is the latest production to come out of Foothill’s Drama Department – with showings until June 11. The play director, Sinjin Jones, confronts the audience with this heart shattering play that addresses the grief people experience before and after a loved one passes away. Infinite Black Suitcase defies stereotypes by helping us acknowledge that at some level, everyone needs to prepare for the inevitable… death. Of course, there’s always room for conventional after-death grief for the survivors, which this play definitely includes. But rest assured, the story conveys that despite grief being a terrible concept in itself, no one is ever alone to deal with it as Arin Coleman (who plays Frank) explains, “All of us have gone through grief, it’s this universal thing but it can feel incredibly isolating… and you don’t have to face your grief alone.”

Infinite Black Suitcase shows the baggage and grief that one carries after someone passes away. The journey through despondency is illustrated with multiple stories told in an episodic timeline from multiple perspectives: an ex-husband and stepfather meeting in the middle for the good of the kids when the wife is to pass, a troubled boy coping with the recent death of a father he despised, a man realizing he needs to find meaning in life once his husband does eventually die, a catatonic woman coming to terms with the death of a loved one, and a couple preparing for where they are to be buried eventually.

Right from the start, the set design jumps out at you. The stage was hardly a stage as it was completely open floored, making the audience feel like a part of the show. Silhouettes of people dancing, posing, or having an emotional reaction were shown throughout the play, heightening the Avant-garde atmosphere. The set design was beautiful, with one very notable set piece being the star of the show, a realistic tree that descended from the sky that gave the scenery a much more authentic feel as the setting moved outdoors. Floating windows lingered, emphasizing the abstract style of the show.

Overall, the play was rather somber, however there was some levity throughout. In the beginning of the show, the audience may find themselves confused but as minutes pass, you slowly put the pieces together, making the play much more interactive.

There were very strong actors out there representing the different stages of grief, with some obvious standouts as well as a solid overall cast. Keep an eye out for Arin Coleman’s body comedy playing Frank, and Mateo Urquidez’s emotional expression as Stephen.

The directors and actors backstage have doubtlessly created a community of inclusivity, sharing the passion of acting with the Foothill community.

Overall Rating: 8.5/10