What happens when the product sold by pioneers of technology isn’t a cellphone or computer, but a final goodbye— a final alleviator of grief?

Directed by Richard White and written by Kristy Woollam, A Curated Exit follows Zoe as she navigates the death of her husband, Steve— played by Devon Sands—, in a world where your last breath is not your last impression. Woollam presents a dystopia in which a general desensitization towards death has altered individuals’ ability to cultivate human connection and grapple with grief. Zoe acts as an almost influencer-esque figure, promoting “A Curated Exit”— an implant that replaces the freshly dead with their desired, holographic legacy— in a jubilantly detached fashion.

In addition to its exploration of influencer culture, A Curated Exit delves into the emotional effects of artificial intelligence through the chipper AI, Bob. As Zoe sinks deeper into her grief, Bob acts as an anchor, dragging her further into an ocean of despair. The themes of this show are of an incredible caliber and sincerely relevant to modern discourse, however their delivery is somewhat hindered by other elements of the production. Some of the lines came off as stilted and the visible transitions between scenes killed the magic of the nonlinear narrative. Nonetheless, the main ideas within the play came through.

Ultimately, A Curated Exit presents a nuanced understanding of many facets of our modern day. From the dangers of technology to the human truth of grief, every theme within this show is intertwined in a beautiful dramatic tapestry and is absolutely worth the watch if you’re seeking something unique and profound.