real or not?

Set in the not-too-distant future, the characters of “The Nether” explore what it is to live in a world where virtual reality is a way of life and the physical world is rapidly fading into oblivion.

Varying sound effects and the use of lighting bring this story into reality while still keeping the audience grounded in what is happening. Often with stories that vary between real world and virtual realities, the audience can get easily confused about where they are and what is happening. Not so with this script.
An excellent performance from the five cast members draws the audience into the serious investigation which this story centers around.
An interesting open that tells the audience they are “logging on” introduces the audience to “The Nether” which begins as a vague concept but is further described throughout the play.
All of the events regarding the “The Nether,” also known as an advanced version of the Internet, take place in one location: The Hideaway.
The plot centers around illicit events which happen in The Hideaway, now under investigation by Detective Morris, played by Molly Thornton, senior of Riverton, Wyoming. The main suspect is Mr. Sims though Morris struggles to find a solid connection between him and the creator of The Hideaway, Pappa. Both Sims and Pappa are played by Samuel Thomas Martin, junior of Hot Springs, South Dakota.
The main focus of the illicit activities that the investigation focuses on revolve heavily around a 9-year-old girl in The Nether, Iris. Syerra Wycoff Bagshaw, junior of Peyton, Colorado, plays the little girl who seems to spend a lot of time with Pappa and who immediately brings on the interest of a new user, known in The Hideaway as a guest. This guest,

Thomas Woodnut, struggles with the purposes of The Hideaway, and throughout has a hard time following the rules. Woodnut is played by Nathan Wojciechowski, junior of Gering.
While Morris has an agent in The Hideaway, there are rules set in place by Pappa which forbid any telling of personal information. This, predictably, makes it more difficult for the detective to find real world, solid evidence to find the user behind Pappa.
The rule has a logical foundation though. The confidentiality of the users and employees alike is much needed considering the events that occur in The Hideaway which are constantly referred to throughout the play but in an obscure way that tickles at the audience’s imagination.
Mr. Sims isn’t the only real world person to be interrogated though. Mr. Doyle, played by Wacey Gallegos, senior of Ainsworth, also makes his appearance in the investigation though the obscure dialogue makes it hard to pinpoint exactly who he is in The Hideaway and why he is a part of this investigation.
Overall, the play is certainly not for the faint of heart. It has several references to subjects which most people would find uncomfortable.

If you enjoy the exploration of the human psyche and its desires, this would fulfill that purpose well.
Common themes throughout the play are anger, resentment, love and religion, all viewed through the lenses of the characters.
As an audience member, you have insights to private interactions between characters but the teasing way these short little scenes end leaves the audience wanting more.
The ending finally puts the entire puzzle together but leaves the audience examining these themes and the effects of technology on desire and the human identity, both of which are the philosophies behind this play.
The author, Jennifer Haley, seeks to explore virtual reality ethics and how these can affect relationships and, ultimately, the human psyche.
“The Nether” will be performed in the Block Box Theatre at 7:30 p.m. tonight through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday.