Have you ever overheard two people in a heated argument? And you know you shouldn’t listen, yet you can’t help but take sides based on what you’re hearing. debbie tucker green’s a profoundly affectionate, passionate devotion to someone (-noun), directed by Mumbi Tindyebwa Otu, is a glorious ninety minutes of doing just this: observing three different couples as they hash out their differences all while the audience listens attentively to the disputes. Featuring a powerhouse cast and a captivating script, …profoundly… is a keen study of love in its many forms.

…profoundly… is a multi-generational story of love, loss, and language through the experiences of five characters. Each pairing of characters has their own laundry list of irritants and issues with one another, though how they’re able to express those feelings varies vastly. But there’s also a great deal of trauma which has affected the couples, like death and illness, and seeing the patterns in how it all shakes out is fascinating. These stories are at once unique and universal, and it’s left up to each audience member to figure out whose side are they on, or is there really a side to take?

Personally, debbie tucker green’s text excited me from the very beginning; the characters have to do a sort of dance with one another as they argue – a tango of tongues, if you will. Because all three parts of …profoundly… are predominantly arguments, they have a staccato-like cadence, with the characters cutting each other off, talking over one another, or then suddenly going silent. It also felt like arguments muse on a single word like “look” or “hear.” The words take on several meanings throughout the discussion as they get twisted, manipulated, and examined by the speakers. Along with the expert wordplay, there’s also a series of repetitions which occur throughout the piece, all to force us to both consider, and reconsider, our reactions to what’s being said. Why does it make us feel one way when A says the phrase, but then differently when B says it? debbie tucker green has created a masterful text, which uses language and our natural curiosity and empathy to fabricate an intricate world of words and feelings.

Living in this world and bringing it to life is a truly exceptional cast of performers. Virgilia Griffith and Dwain Murphy begin the show as A and B. Their chemistry is palpable throughout the first section of this play, whether their characters are in or out of love. Griffith’s vulnerability immediately elicits empathy and compassion, while Murphy’s stark changes make B easy to dislike. Warona Setshwaelo’s woman is bold yet fragile, a perfect role for Setchwaelo to show her impressive versatility. Jasmine Case plays the Young Woman in the third part of …profoundly… with equal parts grace and sass, perfectly befitting the character. However, Andrew Moodie’s shift from the Man we see in part two to part three is baffling. It took me a moment to even realize he was the same character. From cold and distant to an awkward attempted suave nature Moodie shines, even if neither of his characters get the vote of confidence from the audience.

…profoundly…’s title feels like a bit of a misnomer. While love can be a noun, a thing we have, the most important aspect of love is its verb form. Love is an action we choose to perform every day for those we love. It doesn’t matter who they are or how we’re loving them, it requires doing, not just being. …profoundly… is a clear reminder of this, and the importance of clear communication in that doing. …profoundly… lives up to that part of its title, however, in that you leave changed; thinking about the people you love, and how we show that love. So text your bestie, call your parents, kiss your partner, and tell them you have a profoundly affectionate, passionate devotion to them.

…profoundly… runs at the Tarragon Theatre Mainspace until December 7. For more information and tickets, visit: https://tarragontheatre.com/plays/2025-2026/a-profoundly-affectionate-passionate-devotion-to-someone-noun/

---

Copy Photo: Dwain Murphy and Virgilia Griffith. Photo by Jae Yang

---

Thank you to my Patrons:

N. Bushnik, S. Fisher, B. Kinnon, D. Moyes, E. O’Brien

And to my supporters who’ve bought me a coffee:

Angelica and Paul, Anonymous, Adrianna, Caitlin, Jonathan, Jada, and Courtney

Would you like to become a Patron? Check out my Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/AViewfromtheBox

Or, you can buy me a coffee at: buymeacoffee.com/aviewfromthebox