By Daniel MacIvor
Directed by Andrew Lazarow
October 19 – October 28, 2007
In the Otto M. Buddig Theater
Presented by Special Arrangement with International Creative Management.

Never Swim Alone features Bill and Frank, best friends since childhood, who go head to head in 13 rounds of competition to determine which is the “First Man.” Both contestants have impressive jobs, attractive wives, and know everything about their opponent. Who will be deemed “The First Man” by the female host? And in a world where reality shows constantly raise the stakes, how far will this competition go?

Never Swim Alone featured Adam Standley (CEA Nom.), Alex Matthews, and Greta Wilson.

Praise for Never Swim Alone

“Here’s a sweet little irony for you: The Satori Group is presenting Never Swim Alone, a playlet about America’s obsession with winning, weekends through Nov. 4 at The Carnegie in Covington. Satori itself won (and abundantly deserved) a Pick-of-the-Fringe award last June for iLove, their engaging, thoughtful, visually diverting investigation into how and who and what Americans love — often obsessively.

In Swim Satori takes stage with much the same poise, clarity and confident authority that marked iLove. Director Andrew Lazarow establishes a tone of playful yet menacing civility, then carefully contains his players within it until calm no longer serves the play’s investigative purpose. Then he lets all hell break loose.”

“Early in the vying Lazarow moves his actors about with choreographed precision, like animated chess pieces seeking advantage. They carefully observe the obscure rules and structure of a TV “reality” show.
But then the challenges get tougher. Frank (Standley) and Bill (Matthews) shake free of constraint, unleash atavistic urges, rip through civilization’s tissue-thin veneer and go for broke.”

- Tom McElfresh, City Beat

“Satori Group has snuck in under the radar in the busiest theater weeks of the season with a winning production of NY Fringe fave “Never Swim Alone,” a smartly observant 40 minutes about one aspect of the American character.”

“Daniel MacIvor’s intriguing “Swim” is set at a beach, with nice representative touches designed by Lazarow and Adrienne Clark.”

“Standley and Matthews do well as the sparring partners, and Wilson is a real find. Using past and present to forge her character, she telegraphs everything we need to know.”

-Jackie Demaline, The Cincinnati Enquirer