‘A Fine Madness’ Finds Magic Beneath Dupont Circle

Before you descend into Dupont Underground for A Fine Madness, do two things: tend to any comfort needs (there are no restrooms down there), and be prepared to step into someone else’s subconscious.

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company‘s latest offering, created and performed by Justin 
Weaks is performed outside of the theatre at various locations. For us, he transformed Dupont’s former trolley tunnels into a playground for memory, imagination, and human connection.

The journey was a little bit personal reflection and a lot communal therapy.

A Fine Madness is about the stories we tell ourselves… and the ones we tell each other. Inspired by the mission of the Voyager Golden Record, it blends memoir, philosophy, humor, and audience-generated anecdotes. At its heart, it’s about dealing with a virus — HIV, COVID — but the result is a thoughtful meditation on creativity, coincidence, and the all-too-chaotic process of taking meaning from everyday experiences.

The show does not follow a traditional narrative arc; it unfolds as a series of interconnected observations and recollections, gradually revealing a larger portrait of what it means to be human. Along the way, Weaks and the audience grapple with themes of loneliness, curiosity, wonder, and belonging.

What makes A Fine Madness work is the warmth and wit of its central performer, who navigates the evening’s shifting moods with ease. Also – the production never takes itself too seriously. But still, this style isn’t for everyone.

Audience participation plays a role in shaping each performance (but it’s not the show’s defining feature). Interactive elements contribute to a collective narrative, and necessarily impact each performance.

Our take: It’s quirky but philosophical; We’ll certainly be thinking about this one for a while. Plus, the atmospheric setting of Dupont Underground proved an inspired choice. The raw concrete walls and hidden-below-the-city ambiance reinforce the play’s themes of uncovering hidden memories and unexpected connections. It’s a reminder that fascinating stories often exist just beneath the surface.

“A Fine Madness” runs approximately 90 minutes with no intermission. All tickets are Pay-What-You-Will tickets, where patrons pick the price they want to pay (recommended price is $25).