The Children, written by Lucy Kirkwood and directed by Jacqueline Reid, is on stage now at Fusion Theatre. Starring Elizabeth Elias Huffman, Laurie Thomas, and Matthew Yde, Fusion's The Children tells the heartwrenching story of old friends grappling with the results of the meltdown of their local nuclear power plant.

Heavily inspired by the Fukushima nuclear explosion, Kirkwood's play captures the raw emotion of people living through a disaster. When nuclear physicist Rose comes to visit her two former colleagues, Hazel and Robin, the three have to work through the tension of their past relationships, as well as the strain of their current realities. As the truth behind Rose's visit is revealed, the three must make heartbreaking decisions for the good of their community and their families.

The cast consists of three actors, all of whom do an excellent job of bringing this show to life. A central conflict in the story is the tension among Rose, Elizabeth Elias Huffman, and Hazel, Laurie Thomas. Huffman and Thomas are wonderful portraying a whole range of emotions shared between the two, from the awkward conversation in the beginning of the show to the sheer hatred at the story's climax. Matthew Yde, who plays Robin also does an excellent job in portraying the attempts to mediate this tension. The mix of comedic lines and heartfelt emotion make for an impactful and layered performance. Together, these actors explore the character's relationships with each other and with the world around them.

The set designed by Tucker Topel is a small cottage on the English coast. The edges of the set facing the audience are rough, giving the appearance that the set is merely a cross section of an actual cottage. The cottage is wonderfully decorated to appear as though it has been weathered. The windows that face upstage have rings of dust around their edges, and the lights behind them add another layer to this interesting design element. The walls are lightly painted with varying shades of blue to simulate water damage. Aside from the weathering, the cottage set gives off a cozy atmosphere, adding to the intimate feeling between the story and the audience.

The Children is a beautiful story of hope and sacrifice following a disaster. The character's performances layer humor and pain, love and hate. The story discusses everything from natural disasters and renewable energy to love and romance. The performance is deeply moving, and the story sticks with the audience.

The Children runs through November 24, 2024, at Fusion Theatre, 708 1st Street Northwest, Albuquerque NM. For tickets and information, please visit www.fusionnm.org.