If whittled down to a single scene in which the breadth of the emotional might built within Shadows, a new play written and directed by Anthony M. Laura, is found, it begins with the simplest of beginnings.

“Hello?” Katia Mendoza, as Lyndsy Elle Cooper, opens the scene alone in her room, waking up, the specter of early onset Alzheimer’s reducing her world to a terrifying blank slate. Unable to find the door, unsure of where she is, or how she got there, Mendoza carries us through the torment of a failing mind with power and grace, illuminating the tragedy of the disease for all to see.

The burden of grief and loss on display throughout intermixes with themes of family, friendship, love, trauma, and the strength of facing pain head on. What we’re left with is a buzzsaw of heart and soul, driven by the deft hand of a master storyteller.

The story of Shadows opens simply, as we’re introduced to Lyndsy Elle Cooper, a former pop star struggling to find her way. Sharing their childhood home with her sister Ariana Cooper, played by Annette Berning, we meet her girlfriend, Kensley Lennon Coleman, performed beautifully by Annie-Grace Payne, and the latest pop star to make waves, Jessa King, played by Alexandra Rooney.

Jessa’s efforts to add Lyndsy to her upcoming tour are derailed, however, as Kensley reveals a shocking illness that turns Lyndsy’s world upside down. As the couple work to make the most of the time that remains, episodes of memory loss and confusion plague Lyndsy. Ultimately diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s, Lyndsy struggles to maintain her memories of Kensley, burrowing deep within the love that offers her the strength to carry on.

The performance of the cast was exemplary, led by Mendoza and Payne, who offered gentle yet powerful performances, leaning on their fantastic chemistry to entangle the audience in every facet of their love and every measure of pain and grief.

Rooney is charming and light on the stage, despite Jessa’s directness and impatience. Berning not only captures the frantic efforts of Ariana with a deft hand, but also brings to the forefront the trials and emotional challenge of the caretaker with compassion and intensity.

Mari Blake offers a lighter punch as best friend Tatum and Susan Neuffer brings wisdom and truth as Dr. Stella Anders, Aunt to both Lyndsy and Ariana. Both add weight and precision to an outstanding cast of women.

At its core, Shadows is a beautiful love story, filled with hope and charm, yet remains a heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, and terrifying journey into the rapid decay of a mind, making it all but impossible to ignore the devastating effects of early onset Alzheimer’s. Laura has once again crafted a heartfelt tale that challenges the audience to review what truly matters in life.

Shadows is currently on a limited run through December 16^th, at the A.R.T/New York Theatres, Jeffrey and Paula Gural Theatre.