School for Lies
Wow!! This is one of the best pieces of theater I have seen for a long time. Scintillating script in very, very amusing verse which turns Moliere into great farce. A stellar cast whose timing has to be seen to be believed. This kind of farce, especially in verse, is very difficult to pull off but this troupe does so with great skill. They even managed to overcome a lighting failure during the performance I saw. For a really entertaining couple of hours, DONT miss this one, whatever you do.

The School for Lies on Monday, May 2nd, 2011

The 'Irish' play
Well formulaic is the word. All the stereotypes of the Emerald Isles history are on display here. The cast did a good job in playing it all to the hilt but there is only so much you can wring out of lovable rogues and charming brogues, some of the latter being hard to interpret, even for a European. It is not unenjoyable but could probably be usefully abbreviated so the obvious conclusions could be reached with greater dispatch.

The Shaughraun on Sunday, May 15th, 2011

RE:Knickerbocker
I think this is going to be a generational thing. I cannot remember myself, many, many years ago, , analyzing impending fatherhood in quite this detail with quite this cast of characters who feature in this play. There are some good lines and some interesting dialogue but I found the generation gap a bit wide for me to empathize too much with the pre-natal parents or their friends and family. The acting was good and the staging spare but adequate. Perhaps it should be a required view for those in the same boat as the central character.

Knickerbocker on Sunday, May 15th, 2011

RE:Desperate Writers
I feel that the title of this play may actually apply to the writers of this play! This was one of those shows where you left the theater thinking "What were they thinking?". I am afraid the show misses the mark and its constructions are less than comedic. The cast tries hard to get some mileage out of the script and the scenarios but I am afraid it falls flat. There is, I am afraid, little good to say about this show.

Desperate Writers on Friday, May 27th, 2011

The Shaggs
Go see a musical about a girl group that cant sing??? Yes, yes, yes!! This is a very well put together show with a great cast, some really good songs and acting and an evocative set. Despite the off the wall subject, this based on a true story, tale is told with sympathy and impact . Dont be fooled, this is one well worth attending. There are shows about successful groups which are not as good as this.

The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World on Monday, Jun 27th, 2011

RE:Death takes a Holiday
Whilst this may be in the old school of musical genres, the cast is superb with excellent voices, the songs and music are very good and the set excellent. This one deserves to run for a while it is a good advertisement for well produced and directed theater..

Death Takes a Holiday on Monday, Jun 27th, 2011

Voca People - Yeah!
This is a fun show with a very talented cast. Yes, it does get a bit silly in places with the initial premise and the audience interaction but this doesnt spoil the overall enjoyment. All in all it is a very worthwhile 90 minutes worth. The singing is clever and all sounds are from humans which is pretty amazing. The staging and lighting are just right. Go, relax and just enjoy it for what it is...entertainment.

Voca People on Monday, Jul 18th, 2011

RE:Henry V
This is a really good show. Yes it is a little unconventional for the purist but the underlying material is there, very well spoken and presented. The acting is energetic and forceful and certainly brings out the real issues behind the play in a way which many other productions dont. The staging is spare but effective and the effects of battle and fighting are of impressive simplicity. It may be a long way uptown for some of us but it is well worth the trip. I have seen many, many worse productions of Shakespeare than this one which is up there with the best.

Henry V on Sunday, Aug 14th, 2011

Silence
This is one of those shows which lives up to its description and more. This is a stellar cast who perform the extremely funny material so well it is breathtaking. There are many Broadway shows which dont measure up to this standard. The songs are clever, there is great choreography and the acting spot on. This is a musical satire for the record books. Dont miss this one whatever you do, you will be sorry if you do. Great theater!!

Silence! The Musical on Saturday, Sep 3rd, 2011

RE:Completeness
This is a neat revolving play which may be a bit over-written. The premise is interesting in its exploration of the intersection of science and computing and the metaphorical reflection on human relationships. The detailed exploration of the particular scientific and computer theories take up an unnecessary amount of the dialogue and can become a bit tiresome at times. The acting is good and the characters are believable even when playing multiple roles. The set is clever and very appropriate. There are quite a few funny lines and amusing situations but the whole would have more punch if it was a bit shorter. It is certainly worth seeing, though.

Completeness on Saturday, Sep 3rd, 2011

RE:Seed
We saw this play in a workshop production last year and it is extremely good indeed. The subject matter, the acting and the dialogue are riveting and we thoroughly recommend it. OK it is off the beaten track but you will not be sorry you went.

Seed on Wednesday, Sep 7th, 2011

RE:To turnip or not to turnip????
Among the comments on the flyer is, "The Greatest Vegetable Circus on Earth" - and on this I would have to agree. Beyond that, I can only recall the Cloaks of Pong as worse. The show does give new meaning to the phrase, "How about THAT?!??!", and the actors work their hearts out. Every thirty-third person should see this show.

Cirque De Legume on Sunday, Sep 11th, 2011

To turnip or not to turnip????
Among the comments on the flyer is, "The Greatest Vegetable Circus on Earth" - and on this I would have to agree. Beyond that, I can only recall the Cloaks of Pong as being sillier. The show also gives new meaning to the phrase, "How bout THAT?!??!", which youll find yourself using for the following week, and the actors work their hearts out. Every thirty-third person should see this show.

Cirque De Legume on Tuesday, Sep 13th, 2011

RE:Ennio
This is a very funny show. I have seldom heard an audience laugh so loud or so long for this guy who works his tail off with his quick changes of paper costumes and impersonations of mostly female singers and performers but he runs the gamut of characters. This is a great fun, 65 minutes of entertainment. Catch it if you can.

Ennio: The Living Paper Cartoon on Tuesday, Oct 4th, 2011

Wishful Drinking
A very funny show full of self-deprecating humor, very funny anecdotes and some homely wit and wisdom thrown in. Very good value indeed. Carrie has great delivery and timing and certainly evokes a lot of laughs over the two hour duration of the show. Go see it.

Wishful Drinking on Wednesday, Nov 25th, 2009

Marvelous Wonderettes
Good fun, excellent cast and lots of songs which we, at least were old enough to know the words and even the opening bars. OK, the plot isnt Shakespeare and the songs are hung from it with a bit of a thin cord but if you take it as a bit of fun the girls work hard to deliver. Definitely worth your while to go.

The Marvelous Wonderettes on Wednesday, Nov 25th, 2009

RE:Good Italian Daughter
Yes, good fun and quite a bit of the material was on the mark. It was a good performance by the actress and the material was certainly from the heart.

How to Be a Good Italian Daughter (In Spite of Myself) on Wednesday, Nov 25th, 2009

Deamgirls
This is a GREAT show in a fabulous theater. They have really done a great job in upgrading the Apollo and it is worth the extra distance to go there to see this simply tremendous show. Great performances from all the cast, as well as the orchestra, great effects and breathtaking costumes with changes of costumes almost magical in their speed and brilliance. This was definitely one of the best shows we have seen. It isnt on for long, dont miss it.

Dreamgirls on Wednesday, Nov 25th, 2009

In the next room
Dont be fooled by the sub-text title. This is not a sexy play or one by which most reasonable people would be shocked or offended. It is a funny, thoughtful and interesting play which cleverly shows the mores of the time and delivers a message which may not be too clear but if one thinks about it, it is also relevant today. The acting and staging are very good as are the period costumes. This may not be a smash hit but it is well worth seeing as a very worthy straight American-written play.

In the Next Room or the vibrator play on Wednesday, Nov 25th, 2009

This
This is a good thoughtful play full of humor, drama and compassion. There are some great lines in the show and the cast are very good and work well together. It is certainly well worth seeing. Good writing and a good cast, what more could one want? - a good set - well this has that too. Go.

This on Wednesday, Nov 25th, 2009

RACE
This play is definitely worth watching. The acting is excellent across the whole cast. The play itself bears all the hallmarks of Mamet?s cynicism, aggression and wit. It does have the usual liberal sprinkling of bad language but to be fair that is mostly kept in context. It is without doubt one of those play that you come out of wanting to find out what everyone else thought about it and plays like that are really worth seeing. Is this how we really are but think we aren?t? Yes, the play is confusing and complex but that just requires a little attention and concentration and when was that bad for the mind? In this play, has Mamet mined the mind of black and white, male and female or are these characters just a dramatic context upon which to hang an engaging play? Go and find out.

Race on Monday, Nov 30th, 2009

RE:Brief Encounter
This is a really wonderful show. No, it is not exactly like the movie but it is a clever fast moving adaptation of it which superbly mixes comedy, song and drama preserving the meaning of the play whilst providing superb entertainment. If you miss this one you could be missing the hit of the season. The cast are multi-talented, energetic and wonderfully in their many character roles. The mix of movie and live theater is inspired. This is a real gem.

Brief Encounter on Sunday, Dec 6th, 2009

RE:Tow Rooms
This is a good and valuable play if, in my opinion it needs editing down in length a bit. The impact is strong but diluted a bit due to some over-writing. The staging in this performance is interesting although why the stage was not divided into two room as per the title, which would have made the scene changes easier, I dont quite know but then I am not a dramatist. It is not easy to be critical but I did find that the leading lady, Leni a bit over-emotive and she lost my sympathy towards the end with her petulant attitude. Of course, the situation is not one many of us are familiar with and I dont know how I would react. Perhaps in the same way. Whatever the satisfaction level with the play itself this was a useful and interesting working of a complex and very serious and dramatic subject and is well worth seeing for that. With the possible exception of the above, the cast are very good and it is worthy of your time to see it.

Two Rooms on Sunday, Dec 6th, 2009

Two Rooms
This is a good and valuable play if, in my opinion it needs editing down in length a bit. The impact is strong but diluted a bit due to some over-writing. The staging in this performance is interesting although why the stage was not divided into two room as per the title, which would have made the scene changes easier, I dont quite know but then I am not a dramatist. It is not easy to be critical but I did find that the leading lady, Leni a bit over-emotive and she lost my sympathy towards the end with her petulant attitude. Of course, the situation is not one many of us are familiar with and I dont know how I would react. Perhaps in the same way. Whatever the satisfaction level with the play itself this was a useful and interesting working of a complex and very serious and dramatic subject and is well worth seeing for that. With the possible exception of the above, the cast are very good and it is worthy of your time to see it.

Two Rooms on Sunday, Dec 6th, 2009

RE:Equivocation
Well maybe 3.5 stars. This is a show with a clever premise and much promise which it somehow fails to deliver fully. The dialogue and the acting by the small very versatile cast is excellent. The spare set effective. But the play seems to lose its way in the multiple flashbacks and changes of character, which even for an ex-Brit with a decent knowledge of the history of the time and of Shakespeares works, quotes from which spatter the dialogue, take some following, especially at the climax. The portrayals of Shakespeare Shagspeare as he is known in the play!!, himself and of Sir Henry Cecil are very good but I felt that the introduction of Shakespeares daughter and his tortured relationship with her detracted from the central theme. I think I would write that out and shorten the play a bit to make its real central impact i.e. Equivocation - more forceful. I didnt NOT enjoy the play, on the contrary good some good periods of dialogue and energetic acting are always enjoyable, but I just did not feel that it did justice to an important, relevant, topical central issue.

Equivocation on Sunday, Feb 14th, 2010

RE:Girls in Trouble
The hype was a play with an anti-abortion theme and, indeed, after a while, it got there. The first scene which was, in my view, way too long consisted of two college guys, one a jerk with many claimed conquests and the other a nerd with none, discussing seduction in a car in which they were driving a sleeping back seat female passenger to a back street abortionist. I am not sure what this scene was meant to represent but the charcaters were awfully stereotypical. There followed a monologue by an extremely talented young black actress which was much more relevant but conducted in language which was not always so easy to follow. The final scene in which the abortion seeker and the anti-abortionist meet was by far the best and the dialogue and arguments between the two as well as the interaction with other family members really gave vent to all the sides of the argumentt and pause for thought. The acting was good, staging spare for the most part but adequate but I think some re-wrting might be worthwhile. I do applaud all for putting this in front of the public as whichever side you are on, and there are more than two, all need to be heard.

Girls In Trouble on Tuesday, Feb 16th, 2010

Mr & Mrs Fitch
All in all this was a little disappointing as a theatrical experience. The premise was interesting, the cast was very promising but somehow it fizzled but did not burst into flame. There were certainly some amusing lines in the dialogue but they were somewhat submerged by the breakneck pace in which the lines were spoken. Some of the bon mots were lost in the follow-up lines. It seemed to me that the timing was a bit off which, with such experienced actors who certainly resonated together, must be a fault of the direction rather than of them. Some of the lines needed to hang in the air for a split second to allow the audience to relish them rather than for the play to gallop on over them hell bent on reaching the next one. It was equally surprising then that the end seemed tame in the extreme and we were left with a bit of a deflated feeling. This was not that we did not get some enjoyment out of the evening but that our expectations of such a talented playwright, such excellent actors who put lots of effort into everything, and a great set were just unfulfilled.

Mr. & Mrs. Fitch on Sunday, Mar 14th, 2010

Venus in Fur
This is a play with an clever & interesting premise, played out superbly by two excellent actors. Vanda is especially talented with her rapid changes of character and transitions between the play and the play within the play. If I had a gripe I would say that the script could do with a bit of editing, it is about ten minutes too long. The interest in the characaters and subject matter wanes a bit towards the end and a snappier ending would improve the play a lot. Another comment is that the theater does rather pack people in especially around the sides at full price with views which sometimes obscure the action and even mask the dialogue. I am sure that every theater needs to milk successful productions for revenue but they should be careful not to overdo it which I think Classic Stages came close to doing. It was, however, all in all, not an unenjoyable afternoon

Venus in Fur on Sunday, Mar 21st, 2010

RE:White's Lies
This is a really formulaic farce type of play this is very hard to pull off successfully and needs exact timing to have a real comic effect. Timing was definitely missing last night. Unfortunatey, at this stage, the actors are struggling with very uneven dialogue and have to resort to facial and physical jerks and ticks to get their laughs. Some of the actors looked a bit lost and seemed to wonder what they were doing there. The play is far too long and the joke is exhausted well before the final curtain. Tighten it up, reduce it to one act, get the timing right and it could be an amusing evening. The actors did their best but, as often happens, poor material is hard to work with.

White's Lies on Tuesday, Apr 13th, 2010

Collected Stories
I think this was anohter victim of the playwright filling up the minutes. Plays dont necessarily get better the longer they are and playwrights may sometimes think they get paid by the word. This play with a thoughtful and quite interesting theme diluted both with its length and unnecesary diversions. Both actors were very good especially Linda Lavin but you would expect that from one of her stature. There were flashes of wit and meaningful dialogue for these two to work on but not enough of them to make this a very memorable theater piece. The set was very lavishand evocative. I think a good editing might improve it immensely because there are good ideas and premises there they are just swallowed up by the volume.

Collected Stories on Saturday, Apr 17th, 2010

RE:Love is my Sin
A very stimulating selection of Shakespeares sonnets which would give anyone who was not familiar with them an appetite to look further. Like all Shakespeare, it takes careful listening to get the inner meaning. The two actors reciting the sonnets on various subjects, from absence to jealousy, spoke clealy and in measured tones so that all the words were perfectly audible and intelligible. The musical segues were, I felt, a trifle tiresome and not that necessary to enhance the words but they did not detract from the overall enjoyable experience. Go before it ends.

Love is My Sin on Saturday, Apr 17th, 2010

Everyday Rapture
A bit of a scatty story which meanders between funny and poignant but doesnt really have either a point or a heart. The cast worked hard but perhaps the short time that they had to put this together showed a bit. The Monday night audience was enthusiastic as it was probably drawn from casts of shows not performing that night. I am not sure all audiences will be so generous but for the sake of the cast, I hope they will.

Everyday Rapture on Friday, Apr 23rd, 2010

RE:Italian American Reconciliation
Well it was a little difficult to imagine John Patrick Shanley writing this as it just doesnt seem to fit in with the image I have of him. However it was fun and enjoyable with some fairly obvious stereotypes, some good one-liners and an involved cast. It might be off-off but this is what theater is about.

Italian-American Reconciliation on Friday, Apr 23rd, 2010

RE:Parents Evening
This is definitely a show for our times. I would think that very many people who see this will recognize aspects of their own lives. The acting duo very cleverly and accurately reflect the life/work imbalance and the frictions and fractiousness which arise from seemingly trivial events. The script is concise and tight and the more emotional husband and his long-suffering and hard working wife form an explosive mixture as they deal with their own and their unseen daughters tribulations. This is worth seeing for good tight well-acted and directed theater.

Parents' Evening on Monday, May 3rd, 2010

RE:Restoration
Quite an interesting exploration of various peoples interaction with an iconic piece of art, centered around the restoration of the piece by a feisty restorer. Perhaps a little long-drawn out with some unnecessary over-emphasis in places but well acted with an excellent set. Passages of good introspective dialogue with some sharp one-liners interspersed. Certainly worth a visit.

Restoration on Friday, May 7th, 2010

Lascivious Something
Personally, I found the characters rather unlikeable and by the end I wasnt sure that I cared what happened to them. The trick of occasional script rewinds did not seem to have any great contribution to the plot. The actors did a good job of trying to interpret what I would describe as a confusing script but I still couldnt really make head or tail of it. Try it for yourself, it isnt boring but a little difficult to get into.

Lascivious Something on Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

RE:Bloody, bloody good
This is really a great show, innovative, entertaining and even educational. The cast is talented, energetic and the material so of today even though the play is set in the early 19th century. Dont miss this one before it goes.

Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson on Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

4 Million Dollars
This is a really enjoyable show. Sure not all the characterizations were spot on but this was 1956 and maybe they were closer to reality than we all remember. The cast is superb and the songs nearly just the way we remember them. It is hard to imagine that tiem when Rock and Roll was in its infancy. This will run for years and so it should.

Million Dollar Quartet on Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

RE:Paternity
Well, this is a rather difficult one to comment upon. The biological clock theme of the plot seems to wander off and get a bit lost in the curious intricacies of the relationship between the two protagonists. The theatrical devices which introduce new characters into the action are interesting but diversionary. I am not sure one leaves the theater much wiser about the ways of human relationships but it is not unenjoyable and the actors are good.

Paternity on Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

RE:Prophecy
Well, in the description above intertwined is the operative word. This play requires intelligent thought and concentration as there are multiple plot streams, flashbacks, apparently unrelated but somehow analagous dialogue. It is not always easy to keep track of, nor to assess at the end, what the central theme or conclusion is, if there is one or, for that matter, whether a play which is not far short of three hours with an intermission is justified to yield it.. The acting is first class and the spare set more than adequate. It will certainly keep you thinking after you leave even if that thinking is trying to unravel it rather than dwelling on the significance of the plays multi-layered message.

Prophecy on Sunday, May 30th, 2010

Viagara Falls
Well, they certainly rolled out all the senior jokes on this one. The premise of the play is pretty slight and the developments fairly predictable. The actors do a good job with less than stellar material. There were certainly many laughs in the theater when I attended so it may just have been my sense of humor that was out of synch but there is a limit to how many prostate, digestive and erectile jokes you can manage in 90 minutes.

Viagara Falls on Thursday, Jul 15th, 2010

Phantom
This is a little gem of a show. The acting is great, the plot is good and closer to the original than its much vaunted predecessors. Sure there are some slight production hitches which is not suprising in such a small space but they do not detract from the excellent performances by all the cast and the small but very effective orchestra. Perhaps the ending is drawn out a bit more than dramatic effect really requires but at no time is this boring or tedious and I think that the whole production and acting team have done a great job. Believe me, you can pay a lot more for a lot less. This show could easily move to a bigger venue, I hope it does

Phantom - the Real Story on Monday, Jul 26th, 2010

Don't miss this
I could give this SIX stars if they were available. This is a quite remarkable show with breathtaking acting. The young boy in the cast, who is only 12 years old, acts with a maturity which is stunning. The material is very strong indeed and throws into sharp focus the problems of both the young people today as well as the people who try to help and mentor them and the parents who try to bring them up. A bare and unencumbered set only helps to sharpen the impact of the material. This play really needs the widest audience, I have not seen a better play or performances for a long time. Do yourselves a favor, see it, it is not hard to get to the theater, it is very close to the A train 145th street station.

Seed on Monday, Aug 9th, 2010

RE:Tales from the Tunnel
This is an amusing and wry look at the subway. It is not falling down funny but it is hard to suppress a smile and a laugh at the familiar subway scenes which are played out here by an enthusiastic and talented cast.

Tales From the Tunnel on Monday, Aug 9th, 2010

RE:Sex in Mommyville
The performer, Anna Fishbeyn, is undoubtedly talented but the material is a little confusing and seems to be rather individualistic and difficult to relate to. Perhaps this is the ladys personal experience surely not, but although there are amusing parts to it, I am not sure that many Moms will relate to it. Maybe you have to be Russian to get it fully.

Sex in Mommyville on Wednesday, Aug 25th, 2010

Mrs Warren's Profession
I really hesitate to comment on such a stellar cast but to me, this just didnt work as the play that Shaw wrote. I agree that the idea of trying to make Mrs. Warren speak in some sort of ersatz East London accent was a mistake. But this was not the overall problem. Somehow, the real thrust of the play seemed to be lost, perhaps it was because a play with a simple premise was over-produced. I am afraid to say that I have seen better productions of this play, the main difference in those cases being simplicity. I will say that I saw this production at one of the first previews and there may have been changes made since then.It will be interesting to see what the professional reviewers say.

Mrs. Warren's Profession on Thursday, Sep 23rd, 2010

Excellent
This was certainly a very powerful and dynamically acted show. Mr. Beaty slips from one character to another with amazing fluidity and speed, so fast that you have to be on your toes to keep up! It was a real tour-de-force performance with a good balance of humor, pathos and meaning. It covered so many aspects affecting all of us, not just the black community, today. Bravo. Well worth going.

Through The Night on Thursday, Sep 23rd, 2010

Error of the Moon
Yes, perhaps the script is a bit pedestrian and the action, of course, as specified, speculative. However, it was an interesting speculation and one which was based on a reasonable interpretation of the facts. I thought the acting was good even with some deficiences of the script. The set and staging were also good. I think it is worth attending to learn more about an interesting family in US history.

An Error of the Moon on Thursday, Sep 23rd, 2010

RE:Capsule 33
This is a really strange show, presented in an equally strange way. It is definitely an acquired taste. The premise of an apartment occupant who is prepared to be demolished with the building he lives in, in Japan may say enough. I must say that I, personally, found it rather tedious.

Capsule 33 on Thursday, Sep 23rd, 2010

RE:Exit/Entrance
This is one of those plays where one is still digesting the dialogue, well after it has been spoken. The conversations seem to be discontinuous and somewhat random and I found trying to interpret what the characters were saying or meaning rather difficult. It was definitely necessary to read a synopsis of the play before attending and this says something about the structure of the play that it was not obvious from the dialogue what, exactly was happening or would happen. The acting was excellent from an experienced and very competent cast. It is without doubt a show which will leave you thinking after you leave. I do not want to spoil the enjoyment of those who will attend but I dont think that the thumbnail description above really tells what the real point of the play is, especially the first act.

Exit / Entrance on Thursday, Sep 23rd, 2010

RE:In Transit
This is a real gem and I would very highly recommend it to anyone who likes a new, smartly put-together and excellently performed show on a smaller stage. The terrific cast who sing acapella with the help of a tasefully accompanying and talented beat-boxer perform some really well written and arranged songs which range from the funny to the poignant. The title doesnt just stop at the physical subway theme but deals with peoples lives in transit too in a very clever way, weaving the tales into the transport metaphor. The setting and the theater are great and this show stands up very well in comparison to anything which is on Broadway. Dont miss it.

In Transit on Monday, Sep 27th, 2010

In Transit
This is a real gem and I would very highly recommend it to anyone who likes a new, smartly put-together and excellently performed show on a smaller stage. The terrific cast who sing acapella with the help of a tasefully accompanying and talented beat-boxer perform some really well written and arranged songs which range from the funny to the poignant. The title doesnt just stop at the physical subway theme but deals with peoples lives in transit too in a very clever way, weaving the tales into the transport metaphor. The setting and the theater are great and this show stands up very well in comparison to anything which is on Broadway. Dont miss it.

In Transit on Monday, Sep 27th, 2010

RE:Language
I suppose as a moral essay for it doesnt matter what language you use, it is what you say that matters, this is a slightly long lesson in the subject. The acting is excellent but the obvious in the plot is missed so many times giving the excuse to prolong the action that it does become a little drawn-out.. I think it could have been edited down to a shorter show without an intermission and lost little of the impact.

The Language Archive on Thursday, Sep 30th, 2010

RE:Alphabetical Order
Not quite vintage Frayn and it is rather evident why it took so long to premiere here. The script is a bit thin but the show is carried by the excellent cast who put a lot into the acting even without the help of the mildly humorous dialogue. The facial expressions and non-intelligible grunts and sounds are perfectly timed and placed. It is worth seeing for the acting alone and the great set which goes through several tranformations!.

Honey Brown Eyes on Thursday, Sep 30th, 2010

Alphabetical Order


Honey Brown Eyes on Thursday, Sep 30th, 2010

RE:Human Scale
This is a very moving and informative tale of the dreadful saga of the history of Gaza. Trying to be as fair and balanced as he can, Mr. Wright condenses in chronology the terrible actions of both sides which have brought us to what seems to be an intractable point in time. The Human Scale of the title balances the worth of the Israeli soldier who has been held hostage for 4 years against the mounting demands of Hamas. Mr Wright tells forcefully how there have been times when a settlment is within grasp and then it is cruelly snatched out of the hands of the parties. However harrowing some of the slide show which accompanies this is, it really is worthy of reminding ourselves what a dreadful evolution of the human condition has been rendered in this area in the names of religion, territory and dogma.

The Human Scale on Tuesday, Oct 12th, 2010

RE:In the Wake
Great cast and excellent acting. Marin Ireland is outstanding and gives a tour de force performance It is purely my opinion, but the dialogue could do with some editing. The play is long and perhaps overly belabors its points, which are none the less valid for all that but, perhaps diluted by the length of their delivery. I feel the audience could have probably resolved the point of the play without it having to be spoon fed to them. There seemed to me to be a point someitme before the end where one of the characters makes a meaningful speech upon which things could have been left for the audience to draw their own conclusions.. Neverthelss, even if the extra length doesnt add much to the play it is an enjoyable performance and does leave food for thought in the mind of the watcher

In the Wake on Sunday, Nov 14th, 2010

RE:Lingua Franca
I think one has to be very aware all the time of the period during which this play takes place. Much of the dialogue is quite period in nature. The acting and the staging are good. Perhaps some of the declamatory monologues directed towards unseen students are a bit superfluous and not every character evokes much sympathy but it is an interesting and not unenjoyable experience.

Lingua Franca on Thursday, Nov 18th, 2010

Red Shoes
Burlesque meets grotesque. I am sure, artistically, it is valid to interpret any work in any way the producer feels relevant but for my taste this was too much burlesque which hid the main these of the story behind too many off the wall contrivances, many of which seemed to be rehashes of what has been done before in other productions. The staging and acting were good and there were good moments but for me, it was a much too stylized and over the top production which left one wondering what the story really meant or if it was just being used as a vehicle for what amounted to a burlesque show. Certainly dont bring the children!!!

The Red Shoes on Friday, Nov 26th, 2010

Break of Noon
Great acting, good setting and a very thought provoking piece. It is analagous to that time when you are reading a book and say "Wait, let me read that again, what did he really say?". You will certainly come out wondering whether John Smith is for real or not and the plot twists and turns dont make that easier to decide. s is interesting and thought-provoking play writing on a very tricky subject. Go, see for yourself.

The Break of Noon on Friday, Dec 17th, 2010

The Great Game
I only saw Parts 2 & 3 but this is really what contemporary drama can all be about. It portrays, in a series of shortish playlets, dramatizations of events, probably somewhat based on actual events, which show graphically how complex and history-wracked this area is. Whether or not you feel we should or shouldnt be in the country, this will help you to form a sensible opinion as well as seeing excellent drama, very well performed indeed by a strong cast and effective settings. Sure, some of the short plays may over-run their effect a bit but the whole is moving and carries a big impact.

The Great Game: Afghanistan on Friday, Dec 17th, 2010

RE:Black Nativity - Now
Wow! this is a jumpin show. You certainly wont be bored it is a very lively and well performed show by an energetic and talented cast.

Black Nativity Now on Friday, Dec 17th, 2010

RE:The Inventor......etc.
This is a couple of quite familiar stories, which the author acknowledges, but they are presented in a contemporary and fresh way by a very competent company of actors and an adequate set. There is a nice mixture of humor, pathos and action. Perhaps the only criticism is that it is a tad too long, but it is a fun evening, worth supporting.

The Inventor, The Escort, The Photographer, Her Boyfriend and His Girl on Monday, Jan 17th, 2011

RE:A small fire
A well-acted, well staged, thought-provoking drama which examines an unusual case of sensory deprivation within a family relationship. The cast are excellent in their very different roles and the evolution of the play is well-paced and coherent. This is a good example of how to put together concise and sharp playwriting without padding it out with irrelevance or adding over-long endings. This is definitely one of the best off-Broadway productions for some time.

A Small Fire on Monday, Jan 17th, 2011

Cute
Farce is very difficult to pull off as the timing has to be just perfect. This cast comes close to succeeding even if there was the odd mis-step. The actors certainly invest a lot of energy into the action and the script has some good funny sections although might be described as being a little uneven in places. The set is cleverly designed and very appropriate. All told this is a very pleasant way to spend a couple of hours and you will leave with your spirits lifted.

The New York Idea on Thursday, Jan 20th, 2011

RE:Screen Play
This is not a unique story even if it is a slighlty different take on an old one. I wouldnt say that this adds a lot to the original idea of a stolen script but the acting is energetic and able and although the dialogue wanders a bit on occasions and the whole could probably do with some judicial editing, it is an entertaining enough experience.

ScreenPlay on Thursday, Feb 3rd, 2011

Well.....
This was, indeed a tough one to sit through. The acting was excellent when considering the difficult material which was being explored. Perhaps these types of strange characters and relationships are more common than I know, the problems of a sheltered upbringing!!. but they are quite foreign to me. I was not sure what to take away from this ingeniously staged and well acted play but I can see that there could be diametrically opposite views according to the viewer.

Gruesome Playground Injuries on Thursday, Feb 3rd, 2011

RE:Laws of Motion
This is definitely worth a visit. It is a series of vignettes which it takes some time to knit together into an interesting denouement. The story is not unique but this take on it is interesting, intriguing and engaging with some new twists. The characters are well drawn and the actors really put a lot into their parts. Sure the set is a bit spare, this is Off Off Broadway!! but the show is in the best traditions of that genre and worth supporting. Good one.

Laws of Motion on Tuesday, Feb 8th, 2011

RE:Etiquette Unraveled
This artist is obviously talented and has genuine ability. I am not sure that the material here works completely effectively in conveying the intended meaning. Perhaps a slightly slower, measured and more studied approach would help in comprehension. This sort of art is definitely worth supporting and even when it doesnt come off 100% the effort is always worth it. The perfomance space itself is very impressive, new to me but a great addition to the neighborhood.

Etiquette Unraveled on Tuesday, Feb 8th, 2011

RE:A Shot Away
This is a really EXCELLENT piece of theater, very well staged and extremely well acted. The piece is a drama-documentary where the recollections of military personnel who have suffered rape and sexual assault recount their experiences in moving and devastating testimony. It is not anti-military but does show that the military command still has not really assimilated gender and sexual preference differences within the ranks. With estimates of over 13,000 such attacks every year, this is a play that needs to be seen. See it also for a superb piece of drama theater.

A Shot Away on Tuesday, Apr 12th, 2011