The Garbologists

Wherever you live, there is a day of the week when the garbage truck comes by to collect the things we discard. Waste collectors pick up these items, also known as garbagemen, garbage collectors, and trashmen. A public or private enterprise employs them to collect and dispose of unwanted things from residential, commercial, and industrial locations. A technical term for waste management, with refuse workers called garbologists, was first seen in Australia in the 1960s. 

Northlight Theatre's very intriguing, emotional, and touching play The Garbologists paired two garbage workers, Ivy League-educated newly hired Marlowe (Tiffany Renee Johnson) and Danny (Luigi Sottile). Danny, a white, blue-collar worker, who has difficulties communicating with others, starts their relationship by mansplainer Marlowe the job, even though she passed all of the courses with flying colors. Naturally, this causes apprehension between the two. Still, as they continuously work together, they form a bond through a life lost, a life destroyed, and one person is given an extra life to live.  

The stage has a garbage truck split into two parts — a compactor is shown from the back of the truck, and we see Marlowe and Danny in another part of the truck driving in front. In the background, the set is filled with garbage bags and a screen that displays New York images.  

Johnson and Sottile were exceptional in this production. Making her debut, Johnson, who I can't wait to see in more productions, is a talent that directors need to discover. She is a brilliant actor and has a commanding force that I'm waiting to see in a leading role so that she can display her impressive array of skills. Sottile, who is no stranger to performing in Chicago theaters, has captivated audiences and received rave reviews and can add another excellent performance to his repertoire. 

In conversations with Tiffany, we learned that they rode with garbage operators and discussed how they woke up at 4 a.m to ride the garage trucks to learn the proper procedure for collecting garbage. 

Playwright Lindsay Joelle loves writing about people forced into confined spaces and how they interact when thrown together. She does an excellent job interweaving these characters and slowly peeling back the layers of their lives to the audience, bearing their souls and connecting them right before our eyes. Returning to Northlight, Cody Estle, an accomplished director, does a great job bringing us into the story of Marlowe and Danny.  

This storyline starts a little slow, which isn't surprising as no one thinks about trash and those that pick up our garbage, but gradually as you learn more about the characters and peek into their lives, you bond with them. And in the end, it's captivating. 

Let's Play Theatrical Review Highly Recommends The Garbologists at Northlight Theatre. 

Northlight Theatre

The Garbologists

By Lindsay Joelle

Directed by Cody Estle

SEPTEMBER 1 - OCTOBER 2, 2022