Sophie Miller (Alexia Poe) takes viewers down a dark path in this one-woman drama. (Photo courtesy of Capital Fringe)

Reminds us of: A college lecture where the professor gets way too real; the last five minutes of the series finale ofThe Leftovers.

Flop, Fine or Fringe-tastic?: Between fine and Fringe-tastic. (I know, it’s cheating!)

This one-woman show lives up to its title for about half of its running time, as the white-lab-coat-clad Professor Miller (Alexia Poe) narrates in hushed tones the thought process and existing theories that led to what she sees as her scientific breakthrough. She brings unsuspecting audience members up to act out basic laws of physics and cracks dorky jokes in the process.

But early on, it’s clear something isn’t quite right with Miller, as she repeatedly holds what appears to be a prop gun to her head and contemplates pulling the trigger. That eerie feeling takes hold as the show reaches its dramatic climax, in which her intriguing scientific theory is revealed to be hiding an emotional trauma, rendering the professor — and much of the audience — in tears. The show wouldn’t work without Poe at its center, by turns in command and vulnerable at a moment’s notice. At times, her charisma prompts deep philosophical introspection. Even at the show’s weaker moments, though, it’s an above-average physics lesson.

(Note: Suicide and other traumatic events are discussed in somewhat intimate detail.)

Where to See It: Caos on F on July 12 at 7 p.m., July 14 at 7 p.m., July 15 at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., July 16 at 6 p.m., July 18 at 7 p.m., and July 20 at 7 p.m.

See here for all of DCist’s 2017 Capital Fringe coverage. All shows are $17, with a button ($7) required for entry.