Play reveals woman’s battles with dating in feminist world

Ayoung woman searches for love and fulfillment at a bar in “[PORTO],” a psychological comedydrama from Kate Benson.

Available Light Theatre will launch its 13th season with the off-Broadway play, set to open Thursday in the Riffe Center.

“On the surface, it’s a romantic comedy,” said director Eleni Papaleonardos, also the company’s co-artistic director with Matt Slaybaugh.

“Looking deeper, the play touches issues that we all face — about urban isolation, free will versus fate, how we make responsible choices in an age when we know so much about the world and how our choices can negatively impact the world.”

Eight actors appear in the 90-minute one-act, set at a trendy Brooklyn bar that attracts young adults.

“The main thrust is how do we get out of our minds,” Papaleonardos said. “We can be stuck in our head because of anxiety and What: “[PORTO]” Who: Available Light Theatre Where: Riffe Center’s Studio One Theatre, 77 S. High St. Contact: 614-558-7408, www.avltheatre.com Showtimes: 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 21-22 and Sept. 27-29; and 2 p.m. Sept. 23 Tickets: $20 online or “pay what you want” at the door

overanalysis ... scared to make the wrong choices.”

Benson’s play requires two actors to portray its central character, with one voicing only her hidden thoughts.

“Benson is such an intriguing playwright because her plays deal with what’s happening inside our heads,” Papaleonardos said. “In one way, ‘[PORTO]’ is realistic. But in another way, it’s incredibly abstract and exciting, with an element of magic and transformation.”

Michelle Weiser plays the title character, an intelligent, single woman living in Brooklyn.

“She’s the kind of person who brings a book to the bar to read if none of her friends are around,” Weiser said. “She spends a lot of her time thinking about what she should do, beating herself up about wanting to exercise and eat better.”

The play covers several days as Porto meets and flirts with Hennepin (Jason Kientz), a handsome stranger.

“There are beautiful moments of vulnerability, but Porto is also wary and self-protective,” Weiser said.

Porto’s unspoken inner thoughts and feelings are expressed by Epiphany Pope, who plays [ ] (or “Brackets”).

“Brackets exists at times as Porto’s inner critic,” Weiser said. “She speaks up during her silences to express what she’s feeling.”

For example, her inner voice encourages Porto to talk to Hennepin.

“But there’s a natural hesitation with reaching out and presenting yourself to another person because of the fear of getting hurt or rejected,” Weiser said.

Elena Perantoni plays Dry Sac, Porto’s best friend and an attractive millennial hipster.

“They’re often at happy hour several times a week. ... If this were any other play, it would be about Dry Sac, the conventionally beautiful woman who has all the men swooning,” Perantoni said. “She’s beautiful, brash, brazen — and quite drunk throughout the play.”

Like Porto and most other characters, Dry Sac is nicknamed for a favorite bar drink.

“It’s more of a reflection of her as a character,” Perantoni said. “Dry Sac is a kind of sherry from Spain — sweet, not dry. ... She can be sweet on the inside and is supportive of Porto as they go to the bar to talk, experience the neighborhood and catch up on their days.”

Perantoni connects to “[PORTO]” as a contemporary cautionary tale.

“It’s what a lot of us are going through,” she said. “I’ve had these conversations. ... It’s confusing and hard to know how to date in a feminist world.

“This playwright has nailed being a woman dating in 2018 right on the head.”