Booked & Scene

JOB, written by Max Wolf Friedlich and directed by Marianna Bassham, is a razor sharp psychological thriller that unfolds inside a therapist’s office but quickly spirals far beyond it. An intake session between Jane, a young woman in crisis after a viral workplace incident, and Loyd, the therapist assigned to evaluate her, becomes a tense, mind bending battle of control, truth, and power. As the session progresses, the lines between patient and therapist blur, and the audience is left questioning who is really being analyzed. Under Bassham’s direction, the production moves like a pressure cooker, tightening moment by moment until it feels impossible to breathe.

Star of the Session a Jane of All Trades

Josephine Moshiri Elwood as Jane. Wow. Truly a knockout performance. From the second the lights came up, she commanded the stage with a presence that was impossible to look away from. This role demands energy, grit, audacity, tenacity, vulnerability, and strength in equal measure, and she delivers all of it at an exceptional level.

Her monologues feel so natural they barely register as scripted. It feels like we are hearing Jane think in real time rather than watching an actor perform. That kind of authenticity is rare, and Elwood sustains it for the entire 85 minute sprint of a show. Her dynamic with Dennis Trainor Jr. is electric, and the way she navigates Jane’s emotional shifts is both thrilling and deeply unsettling. This is heavy material to carry night after night, and she handles it with stunning control and emotional honesty. A true standout and a performance that anchors the entire production.

Clocking In & Spinning Out 

Dennis Trainor Jr. as Loyd is a perfect counterpart to Elwood’s intensity. He brings nuance and layered complexity to the role of a therapist who seems calm and measured on the surface but is anything but simple underneath. His arc over the course of the show is gripping, and by the end, my jaw was genuinely on the floor.

I especially loved the tenderness he brings in certain moments, which makes his flashes of anger and frustration land even harder. The cracks in his composed therapist persona are some of the most compelling parts of the show. Watching that facade slowly splinter reveals a man far more complicated than he first appears. His chemistry with Elwood is undeniable, and together they create a theatrical sparring match that feels like star level work. Their connection alone makes this one of the strongest productions of SpeakEasy’s season so far.

Performance Review: Exceeds Expectations

This production is an example of how wonderful things can be when everyone involved collaborates. Scenic Designer Peyton Tavares created one of the most effective sets I have seen on a SpeakEasy stage. The therapist’s office is strikingly realistic, grounding the show in a familiar space that makes what unfolds inside it even more unsettling.

Props Coordinator Emme Shaw fills the world with details that make it feel lived in, from the basket of fidgets to the books and small decor touches throughout the office. Every element works together to build a cohesive environment that pulls the audience directly into the room.

Lighting Design by Amanda E. Fallon and Sound Design by Lee Schuna elevate the show even further. Together, they create moments where the stage feels like the inside of Jane’s mind. The rapid shifts in cues allow scenes to turn on a dime, heightening the tension and keeping the audience on edge. All of this comes together seamlessly under Marianna Bassham’s direction, which keeps the pacing tight and the stakes high. She guides the production with a clear vision that lets every element shine while never losing the story’s emotional core.

Minor Glitches in the System

There is very little that did not work for me in this production. That said, there are a few moments where the script feels slightly repetitive, lingering on aspects of the characters’ backstories that already feel clear. Still, the show moves at a brisk pace, and these moments do little to slow the overall momentum of the piece.

Offer Letter: Must See

This is one of the best shows I have seen at SpeakEasy in a long time. The direction is sharp, the performances are exceptional, and the design elements all work together to elevate the storytelling. From the first moment to the final blackout, the show has you leaning forward, desperate to know what will happen next. A gripping, unsettling, and brilliantly executed production that absolutely knocks it out of the park. JOB runs at SpeakEasy Stage through February 7, 2026. 

📸: Benjamin Rose Photography