Booked & Scene

In The Garbologists, written by Lindsay Joelle and directed by Rebecca Bradshaw, two very different sanitation workers are thrown into the same cab of a New York City garbage truck. What starts as a rocky partnership unfolds into a layered, human story of grief, grit, and unlikely connection. Marlowe, an Ivy-educated Black woman new to the job, and Danny, a seasoned white sanitation vet with strong opinions and a well-worn routine, spend their shifts navigating trash routes, “reading the garbage”, personal baggage, and what it means to really show up for another person. It’s a play with serious heart, plenty of laughs, and a surprising amount of emotional weight tucked into the bags and bins on the curb.

Marlowe’s Bin There & Felt That
Thomika Marie Bridwell as Marlowe is a knockout. Her performance holds multitudes: smart, biting humor; tender vulnerability; grounded with emotional depth. She captures Marlowe’s grief with such honesty that you forget you’re watching a comedy until she makes you laugh again just seconds later. Bridwell’s ability to navigate these emotional contradictions with grace and ease is something to behold. Her chemistry with Paul Melendy’s Danny is absolutely electric. They banter like real coworkers who’ve been paired up for years, and they play off each other with perfect quips and timing. This role demands a lot and Bridwell gives us even more. She’s captivating from start to finish. 

Danny’s Curbside Charisma
Paul Melendy is magnetic as Danny, bringing warmth, stubbornness, and complexity to a character that could easily fall flat in less capable hands. Danny is rough around the edges but full of heart, and Melendy doesn’t shy away from his flaws: he leans into them, which makes his growth feel honest and earned. His comedic instincts are spot on, and his scenes with Bridwell are a masterclass in timing and chemistry. Whether delivering a sarcastic quip or revealing the pain beneath his tough-guy exterior, Melendy stays perfectly true to the character throughout. What makes this performance all the more real is how Danny is written. Danny is a character with firm beliefs and a clear moral compass, but also the kind with human flaws that make him feel relatable like he could walk off the stage and have a conversation with you. Melendy brings this authenticity to life with his fantastic performance. It’s a performance that’s both deeply human and refreshingly restrained. 

Design Worth Digging Through
Kristin Loeffler’s scenic design is a standout I mean, there is literally a garbage truck onstage, and yes, it’s as cool as it sounds. The space is transformed into a gritty Manhattan block, complete with worn posters on pillars, old stickers, graffiti, and the perfect “lost pet” signs to make it feel lived in. The garbage pile in the corner is a chaotic and oddly beautiful touch. Anshuman Bhatia’s lighting design elevates it all, especially the truck and traffic light cues, which pulse with life during transitions. Julian Crocamo’s sound design adds texture and realism, recreating the hum, buzz, and clang of city streets. Together, they make the theater feel like a New York block at sunrise.

When the Route Hits a Bump
As much as the design elements shine, the scene changes occasionally drag. Some transitions involved stagehands in character doing bits, inspecting the truck or mopping, which added flavor. Others felt more utilitarian and slower, with full-costumed crew members just shifting set pieces. The lighting effects, which worked beautifully for the garbage truck transitions, were used again for smaller scenes like the dive bar, where they felt out of place. And while the two-person cast understandably needs time between scenes, the pacing loss was noticeable. A tighter or more varied approach could’ve kept the momentum humming. 

There’s Treasure in the Trash
What makes The Garbologists feel so refreshing is its commitment to telling a story about human connection without romance. It’s about two coworkers who learn to understand each other, support each other, and carry each other’s emotional weight—and that’s more than enough. Rebecca Bradshaw’s direction keeps the energy high during this 92-minute ride, balancing humor with heartfelt moments and making space for both characters’ truths. This show reminds us that even if your job is hauling garbage, your story is never disposable.

The Garbologists runs through July 26 at Gloucester Stage Company. 

📸: Shawn G. Henry