14 tackles currently omnipresent political issues. (Photo courtesy of Capital Fringe)

Reminds us of: A tragic version of Annie Hall, but with teenage romance and an angry rather than anxious protagonist.

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

In 14, Josie (Mila Fox-Parola) is a gifted young writer suffering from survivor’s guilt in the wake of a shooting at her high school. Unwilling to leave her bedroom or her memories, she replays scenes from the months leading up to the tragedy that claimed her boyfriend Milo’s (Jun Ito) life. The need to be seen courses through this emotional story, as Josie’s therapist (Carolyn Heier) tries to encourage her young patient to accept what happened.

Emma Choi’s one-act drama is brought to life by director Jessie Roberts and creative projection design by Jon Roberts. With a screen for a backdrop, video clips add depth to the tight stage. Black boxes transform into a car and set of speakers, a clever use of limited space and physical materials.

The cast is talented, though Milo’s mom is a large and complicated personality that actress Carla Ito struggles to convincingly embody. Choi’s script is strong, telling a new but familiar story for 2018 audiences. How do you move on when the life you knew is shattered in an instant—or in this case, 14 seconds?

Where to See It: St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, 555 Water St. SW

When to See It: Sunday, July 22 at 6:45 p.m.; Tuesday, July 24 at 8:15 p.m.; Thursday, July 26 at 8:15 p.m.; or Saturday, July 28 at 5 p.m.

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