What, exactly, is “Black Fish” about? A man driven to insanity by the lingering trauma of war, unraveling under the weight of his past? A woman searching for refuge, though there’s no way to ever truly outrun humanity’s demons? Perhaps Black Fish is meant to sing the familiar melody of losing to a system designed to “bring you success.”

The beauty of this production lies in the interpretation left to the viewer’s own experiences. As soon as co-stars Sima Sheibani and Ohad Winkler stepped onto the stage, the entire audience was captivated. Everything about the scene was beautifully crafted: the frame created by the lighting, the cinematic build-up, and the dive into the characters’ lives. I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat, eager to get closer to the scene, as I imagine many other audience members did.

Everything was intentional. It was a bittersweet reminder of humanity’s flaws, our desire to connect with one another, and the psychology behind self-preservation. People are capable of change, though you can never pull their minds from their hearts. What I admired most was how everything had a purpose. Not a single word was wasted; everything connected in a perfectly symmetrical circle. Every line was intentional and rhythmic, as were every prop, set piece, and movement. There were moments I forgot to blink, so caught up in the raw emotion of the show. It was moving.

If there were an option to rate Black Fish beyond five stars, I would be delighted to do so. While the themes are heavy and laid on thick, the production perfectly portrays real-world experiences for a vast majority of humankind. I hope it receives the acknowledgement it deserves.