A fierce young woman faces a stern police detective with secrets of his own in Andromeda Breaks. (Photo courtesy of Capital Fringe)

Reminds Us Of: That episode of Homicide: Life on the Street that’s just one long interrogation scene

Flop, Fine or Fringe-tastic?: Fringe-tastic.

Greek mythology buffs would be wise not to get too comfortable with Andromeda Breaks, which on the surface transplants elements of the classic “damsel in distress” tale into the present day. But this dazzling two-hander, starring Billie Krishawn as accused murderer Andromeda Jackson and Jeremy Hunter as her unflappable interrogator Detective Sergeant Percy, doesn’t map directly onto a tale that’s already been told. Instead, the play, written by Stephen Spotswood and directed by Nick Martin, capitalizes on existing knowledge of the Greek Andromeda’s sorry plight to offer an empowering counternarrative, one in which the two characters are evenly matched as they dig deep into the traumas one or both may have inflicted on their humble county.

Jackson and Hunter each carry a heavy load with ease. The former sings quite a bit in idle moments between Q&A sessions, while the latter conceals deep-seated pain behind a calm exterior. (His voice also eerily recalls the TV and film actor Sterling K. Brown.) A few narrative detours go frustratingly unresolved, and the winking references to Greek mythology grow less novel by the end. The delicate dance between two cunning adversaries, though, satisfies from start to finish.

Where to See It: Arena Stage

When to See It: Thursday, July 12 at 8:30 p.m.; Sunday, July 15 at 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, July 21 at 6:30 p.m.; Sunday, July 22 at 6 p.m.

Check out all of our coverage of this year’s Capital Fringe Festival here.