RIDGEFIELD — Oblivion is a play about just that: “the state of being unaware of what is happening.”

Carly Mensch’s carefully crafted story serves to encourage the audience to believe in things that may not be tangible, visible or reliable, yet we all need to have faith in something. Ridgefield Theater Barn is staging only the third production of Oblivion since its premiere in November 2011, and it is well worth seeing for the valuable and uplifting message this play imparts.

The play opens to a shabby, chic Brooklyn apartment which is home to an upscale, educated and erudite family of three. Dixon, the father and husband, is played by Steve Yudelson; the wife/mother Pam is portrayed by Jessie Gilbert, and their 16-year-old daughter Julie is played by Livi Woods. This unconventional family is caught in the midst of a feud, with Pam desperately trying to get Julie to confess to her whereabouts on the prior weekend. Staunchly defending her story of spending the weekend in the company of her friend Bernard (played by Hieu Nguyen) and his sister, while touring her mother’s alma mater, Wesleyan University, Julie is defensive and secretive.

Exasperated, Pam implores the seemingly totally chill Dixon to weigh in on the situation. He complies with little enthusiasm.

Theirs is a family which has bought in to a laissez-faire system of child rearing. Now they have to come to terms with its consequences. The no rules approach has wrought an independent child with solid sensibilities and decision making capacity who seeks meaning and faith by turning to the Christian faith practices by her best friend, Bernard. Her atheist mother balks. Her non-observant Jewish father rolls with it, as he does much of everything else.

The action of the play unfolds as each character finds their own belief system challenged by events and circumstances.  Bernard is a fledgling filmmaker and ardent admirer of the film critic Pauline Kael. He is dear and desperate in his devotion, even as it falters.

Dixon has immersed himself in a world of fantasy and freedom following an emotional crisis which almost succeeds in alienating him from that which he values and needs most. Pam is exhausted and lost in her struggle to hold her family together and maintain some semblance of order in the face of betrayal.

Smart and poised, Julie learns that it takes commitment and effort to continue to believe in something you cannot always avail.

As the best friend and confident of Julie, Hieu Nyugen’s Bernard is soulful, loyal and humorous. This newbie actor delivers a rich performance hitting all the right emotional and technical notes.

Jessie Gilbert’s Pam is in turns harried, anxious and vulnerable. Steve Yudelson and Livi Woods both give depth to their characters.

The simple interior set is well utilized and feels authentic. 

The playwright fully grasps and reveals that human nature implores us to seek a venue for our faith. She further elaborates on the sheer determination and fortitude required to sustain that faith. She does so with realism, humor and relatable situations.

It is well worth a trip to Ridgefield Theatre Barn for an experience in the value of theater as commentary on the human condition by way of this well-written, poignant, vibrant and funny play.

Performances of Carly Mensch’s touching, funny and modern tale continue weekends through April 11, on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 pm. There is also one remaining matinee scheduled for Sunday, March 29, at 2 pm.

Please note there are no performances on Friday and Saturday, April 3-4, however, in observance of Passover and Easter.

Visit RidgefieldTheaterBarn.org or call 203-431-9850.