A Thousand Shipwrecks

People love tragedy as long as they’re not on the receiving end. It’s an artistic premise that’s not likely to be shelved anytime soon thanks to our sickly little addiction to sadism, and a willingness to stuff unwholesome urges deep in our guts. But hey, it works for us; and it works very well for Everything Will Be Different: A Brief History of Helen of Troy. The play traces the shitty life of Charlotte, an awkward and lost teen with a dead mom, a deadbeat dad, and a slew of delusions. As pitiful as Charlotte’s condition is, it’s great tragedy, making this a damn fine play. And since it’s running at the Light Box (3000 Biscayne Blvd., Miami), theatergoers get the pleasure of sitting pretty much on the stage, alongside the actors. That’s not just sadistic, it’s sado-masochistic. Score! Catch EWBD Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m., or an afternoon showing at 3 p.m. Saturday. Tickets cost $25. Call 305-576-6377.
Thursdays-Saturdays. Starts: Aug. 17. Continues through Aug. 25