Reviews Archives - Page 105 of 259

Plainsong

October 22, 2022February 10, 2014 by Tom Williams

The characters act out the struggles of these small town folks as their discontent with the boredom and isolation of rural plains life renders them restless souls. High school teacher Tom Guthrie (Joseph Stearns) must raise tow boys alone since his wife leaves him after suffering depression. Guthrie also has conflicts with an unruly student, Russell Beckman (Rudy Galvan) without much help from his principal.

We also see how the two boys, Ike Guthrie (Cale Manning) and Bobbie Guthrie (Jack Edwards) cope with the loss of their mother by helping a lonely old lady.

Crime and Punishment

September 15, 2017February 8, 2014 by Tom Williams

We see several sides of Raskolnikov including his disdain for money as he gives all the cash he has to aid a woman who has just lost her father. Raskolnikov is a troubled, psychologically flawed man whose moral outrage becomes confused with his views of the capability of the ‘chosen ones’ to resort to murder to further social change.

The How and the Why

February 8, 2014 by Tom Williams

These women have a mysterious past relationship that causes much debate about their theories regarding sex, evolution, feminism, generational divides and the status of female scientists. This is a smartly written work with biting sarcasm, intelligent ideas and deeply human observations on generational thoughts.

Found Photos in Detroit

March 24, 2014February 7, 2014 by Samuel Ezra Fisch

At The Museum of Contemporary Photography Archeology in a broken city and relics of animosity. Failed seems like a harsh word to describe a city that millions of people still live in, but Arianna Arcara and Luca Santese bring heart wrenching evidence of Detroit’s brokenness in their project Found Photos in Detroit, 2009- 10. Damaged … Read more

The Lark

February 7, 2014 by Tom Williams

In the black box theatre, the play has been skillfully produced on the minimal set, with quick clever costume and character changes on stage. The cast preformed phenomenally, keeping a distinct energy in each of their characters through all of their character changes. The lead Aila Peck (Joan) brings an incredible emotion and intensity to the role, convincing you that she is the pure selfless heroin diligently performing her mission from god.

Il Barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville)

February 6, 2014 by Samuel Wigutow

As Barber’s preeminence among his output seems to have been established by a nearly unanimous consensus since its premier, more or less agreed to by Rossini himself, casual opera-goers who are given the chance to get regularly re-acquainted in the theater with this alone among the composer’s vast output may safely assume that it is that most worthy of such attention. And of course it is a delightfully sparkling, lyrical, and mischievous work, even if the music may not quite erase memories of Mozart, whom it often evokes and to which it ultimately yields the last degree of poignancy and memorability – it is hard not to enjoy this lovely opera.

Macbeth – Polarity Ensemble at the Greenhouse Theatre

September 6, 2017February 4, 2014 by Tom Williams

Add a cast of players with little or no concept of what they were saying – a common problem with poorly trained Shakespearean actors. Some mumbled; some raced through their speeches with little emphasis; some did both of those in so low a volume as to be not heard.

From White Plains

September 23, 2026February 2, 2014 by Tom Williams

That intriguing storyline is presented in balanced arguments as to the the wisdom of continuing the vengeance toward Ethan by Dennis fifteen years after the bullying supposedly caused Mitchell to commit suicide. We see how passionate Dennis is in his attack on bullying through his film and his continuing video encounters with Ethan on social media. Dennis is a zealot while , at first, Ethan tries to state that he is is not now that nasty teen from 15 years ago but a nice guy who regrets doing what he did. But Dennis is relentless making Ethan the poster boy for bullying worldwide.

Judith: A Parting from the Body

January 31, 2014 by Tom Williams

By Howard Barker Directed by Zeljko Djukic At Trap Door Theatre, Chicago Old Testament story of Judith get a revisionist take by Howard Barker British playwright Howard Barker uses his unusual perspective of his Theatre of Catastrophe, theatre that stands apart from both dramatic theatre and the epic theatre, the theatre in which a … Read more

Luna Gale

January 29, 2014 by Tom Williams

Luna Gale examines what it means to be a good parent and can government ever really protect a child? This important drama has realistic dilemmas told in proper responses from the characters. The sheer honesty of Fisher’s performance along with the riveting turn from Reyna de Courcy as the meth addict Karlie make for powerful characters caught as they expose past secrets that affect present situations.

Luna Gale is one of those plays that leave you thinking and thankful that your family is functioning without the necessity of help from the social welfare system. Luna Gale is one of Rebecca Gilman’s better plays. it is worth seeing.