Entangled: 12 Scenes in a Circle K off the I-40 in New Mexico
Written by Mona Mansour & Emily Zemba
Directed by Scott Ilingworth, Conceived by SOCIETY
HERE Arts Center | 145 6th Ave, New York, NY 10013
March 11, 2026 - March 29, 2026
Photo credit by Ashley Garrett
Quantum entanglement is a fundamental principle of quantum mechanics where two or more particles become linked, sharing a single quantum state, so that the properties of one particle cannot be described independently of the others. This connection is instantaneous, regardless of distance, allowing measurement of one particle to immediately reveal the state of its partner. Meanwhile, a coincidence is a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection. So the question is: Is 12 Scenes in a Circle K a series of coincidences or a deeper entanglement?
Joshua David Robinson's family has owned this land / gas station / convenience store for generations. It's in the middle of nowhere New Mexico. An oasis in the shifting sands, people stop all the time for gas, road snacks, and of course, the bathroom. But the proprietor has seen things he just cannot explain. Take Schroedinger's Bathroom - as one client desperately waits for the door to open, their companion asks, “Are you sure someone is in there?” JDR replies, “Well, if the latch is latched . . . Buy I suppose we don't know. Both could be true,” (like the fate of Schroedinger's cat who is both alive and dead until the box opens.) Then we finally hear the voice callback from within, but when the door opens . . . the room is empty.
If time exists in layers, the future is already happening. The end is already known except to those living in the past. That being said, is free will possible? Or have all of your “choices” already been made? Throuples, couples, a real estate developer, a harried mom, and several people named “John” - the need for Snickers and bathroom break are universal. But the couple who stops for snacks, are they still together or already split? She's planning holidays and he can't see past Funyons and getting back on the road. They can only agree on being half-way there. Is this where their timeliness overlap or where they diverge? Are they being affected by something left behind in Los Alamos?
So, what is coincidence? Is it random to meet someone from the opposite side of the earth and fall in love or is it destiny? The Greeks taught us we could not outrun our fate. Laius and Jocasta thought no harm could come from a son abandoned in the mountains. That didn't work out so well. (Also, a great lesson in ‘if you want something done right, do it yourself’.)
It is no coincidence how well this production jumps through 90 minutes. Quick changes, multiple personalities glide through the Circle K. Smart, witty, talented, this cast is a tight, well balanced ensemble. They run until the end of the month and you should definitely add them to your timeline.
Click HERE for tickets.
Published by Theatre Beyond Broadway on March 23rd, 2026. All rights reserved.
