SALT LAKE CITY — In Pygmalion Productions’ latest offering, Be Here Now by Deborah Zoe Laufer, a former professor grappling with nihilism encounters an eccentric artist who builds homes out of garbage—and finds herself forced to choose between medical treatment and newfound joy. I had the chance to sit down with two members of the cast, Matt Sincell and Niki Rahimi, to discuss their characters, the themes of the play, and what this piece means to them in today’s world.
Art from Trash, Peace after Trauma
Matt Sincell, a member of Actor’s Equity Association, plays Mike Cooper. Mike is a quiet recluse who finds peace in creating functional art from discarded materials — found objects, as he notes. “[Mike] makes actual dwellings and homes out of found objects,” Matt explains. “It’s a reaction to some pretty major trauma in his life. His work is about finding quiet and peace.”
Mike’s tactile, hands-on response to grief resonated deeply with Sincell. “There’s something beautiful about taking an idea and turning it into something physical, something that grounds you,” he says. “It’s a universal response to trauma—this urge to change your life completely, to create something meaningful.”
A seasoned performer and educator, Matt also reflected on his return to the stage. “After having kids, it’s harder to do a show—it takes a lot of time. So it has to be the right project,” he says. Be Here Now is his first production with Pygmalion, and he describes the process as refreshingly ego-free: “Everyone cares about the work, everyone’s here to play. It’s been such a joyful experience.”
Grounded in Optimism
For Niki Rahimi, playing Luanne Cooper has been both fun and grounding. “[Luanne] is so genuine and authentic—she just says what she thinks, without a filter. I relate to that,” Niki laughs. “But the challenge has been making sure she’s not a caricature. She’s real, grounded.”
While Luanne might seem simple or sweet on the surface, Niki sees depth beneath that brightness. “She’s strong and she’s been through a lot, but she doesn’t let that define her. She accepts people exactly as they are. That’s rare and beautiful.”
One line in particular has stuck with her: “I like you, even when you’re mean and grumpy.” It’s a moment where Luanne embraces Bari, the show’s central figure, without judgment. “That openness—being able to connect with someone despite their rough edges—that’s something we all need right now.”
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Humor, Humanity, and Healing
Despite its emotional weight, Be Here Now is also filled with humor. “It’s a really funny play,” Matt says. “There’s a kind of medicine in laughter. The play reminds us that even in chaos, there’s still beauty and joy.”
Both actors agreed that the themes of presence, perspective, and human connection are especially relevant today. “If we just don’t talk to each other, there’s just further division,” Niki says. “ People let their walls down when they have people they feel they can trust and people they can talk to. “
The story’s central conflict—whether Bari should undergo a medical procedure that might remove the source of her euphoric transformation—invites deeper reflection. “The seizures don’t make her a better person,” Matt explains. “She has a choice. We all do. We can choose to be present, to change, to find joy.” Both actors agreed that if they faced the challenges Bari does in the play, they would take the risk to heal but choose to be happy.
A Room Full of Play
For both actors, the rehearsal process itself has been a highlight. “It felt like play from day one,” Matt says. “That first read-through, we just knew—it was going to be something special.” Niki echoes the sentiment: “You want to bring your best because you’re surrounded by so much talent. It makes you excited to come to rehearsal every day.”
Matt, who also teaches, says the experience has reinforced his values as an educator. “What I remember most from the theater is how I felt in the room. That’s what I want to give my students—trust, joy, a space to play.”
The play opens in three weeks and this interviewer couldn’t be more excited. A play about choosing hope, finding joy, and seeking togetherness over division sounds exactly like what the doctor ordered.
Editor’s note: Some quotes in the interview have been condensed and clarified.
