Elsinore’s ‘A Body Of Water’ Is A Mystery That Keeps You Guessing

A mystery that keeps audiences guessing right alongside its characters, Elsinore Ensemble’s A Body Of Water draws viewers into a world where identity, trust, and reality are constantly shifting, making every new revelation an invitation to question what you think you know.

When I watch a play, I make a concerted effort not to read about it beforehand. I prefer to go into the experience completely blind, without spoilers or information that might have me waiting for something to happen. I like discovering the characters and the story as they unfold. But this was the first time I found myself learning who the characters were at exactly the same time they did.

“Avis and Moss wake up in a house they don’t know, with no memories of themselves – or each other. A young woman named Wren appears to be the key that will unlock the truth about who they are and what brought them there. But every claim she makes is darker and more unsettling than the last. A Body of Water is a desperate search for identity where the only certainty is uncertainty.”

Written by Lee Blessing and directed by Derek Bertelsen, this new production from Elsinore Ensemble is a mystery wrapped in a mystery that gradually unfolds over 90 minutes. Layer after layer is peeled away, like an onion, but neither you nor Avis or Moss ever quite get a firm grasp on what is happening or where they are. The result is an experience that is gripping, amusing, and occasionally uncomfortable, often all at once.

The setting is a living room furnished with an area rug, couch, chair, and coffee table, along with a small dining table and two chairs. At the back of the stage, a large screen glows with shades of blue, purple, and turquoise, creating the impression that the house is surrounded by water. The lighting helps establish the mood of each scene while also suggesting what might be happening beyond the walls of the house.

The show opens with a man and a woman, each wearing a robe and each somewhat wary of the other. They don’t know who they are or where they are, which sets up an intriguing exploration of how trust develops. They begin by sizing each other up, gradually learning about one another’s personalities, and eventually establishing some sort of relationship despite having no proof or reliable information to guide them. That relationship shifts and evolves throughout the show, and at every step I found myself wondering how I might react if I were in their position.

With a strong ensemble featuring Lori Rohr, Jamie Ewing, and Ella Gatlin, A Body of Water is a psychological head trip that I highly recommend experiencing with as little advance information as possible. There are twists and turns that you experience right along with Avis and Moss that will mean the most if you have no expectations.

During the performance I attended, one audience member actually shouted, “What the &*%$??” after a pivotal moment, prompting laughter throughout the room. We laughed because of her reaction, but also because we all understood it. We were right there with her.

This is a production that I will be thinking about for a long time, because the questions and the mysteries sit with you. Answers are fleeting and fluctuating in the absolute best of ways. And one final suggestion: buy your tickets with a friend. You’re going to want someone to talk to about this show afterward. Take my word for it.

A Body Of Water runs for approximately 1 hour 30 minutes with no intermission. It is suitable for ages 15 and up.

A Body Of Water is playing at the Athenaeum Center through 11/22/2026. Tickets can be purchased through the Athenaeum Center website. The Athenaeum Center is located at 2936 N Southport Ave in Chicago, IL.