Review: ‘Melt’ at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute

Written by Shak Kanish and directed by Fabiana Medici and Chris Prinzo, “Melt” is a new play about college-student actors Eli and Ryan rehearsing a play written by their professor, performed on June 11 at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute.

Set design is simple but effective. A blue couch, red theatre seats, a locker, and small table help establish a college environment and give the characters a clear space in which to exist. Lighting design is one of the stronger technical elements of the production. It elevates the show, especially during key emotional transitions, and helps support the tone of the story.

The acting is similarly enjoyable, with natural comedic timing across the board. Every performer has moments in the show where they shine, and the ensemble brings a fun energy to the piece. That said, I did feel like some of the characters lacked emotional depth. There were a few moments where the stakes felt lackluster, and at times the actors talked over one another or did not seem to be actively listening, which disrupted the flow of the scene. With stronger active listening and more time spent letting the emotional moments breathe, the performances could land with more impact.

Direction is overall good as well, and the production moves at an appropriate pace. Scene transitions are handled well, and the show never feels like it drags. There were a couple of moments where some actors’ faces were difficult to see, but the blocking is effective. The show would benefit from giving the emotional beats more room to develop organically, especially in scenes where the characters are meant to connect on a deeper level.

Lighting transitions during the more emotional scenes were subtle but effective, and they paid off throughout the production. I also really enjoyed the musical number, which brought a fun and unexpected energy to the show. The ending was another strong moment and gave the production a memorable final impression.

Overall, “Melt” is an enjoyable production with strong comedic moments, effective staging and thoughtful technical choices. While some of the emotional stakes could be pushed further, the cast brings charm and energy to the piece. The show works best when it leans into its humor, its ensemble dynamic and its more creative theatrical moments. With more emotional depth and stronger active listening between characters, “Melt” has the potential to be even more impactful.