These three short plays demonstrate Robert Holman’s immense talent as a writer as he weaves a subtle glimpse into the damage that war can make in unexpected ways on common folks. Holman’s clarity and depth of character is rich in compassion and truth. The Steep ensemble, led by Josh Salt, as Eric, Patricia Donegan, as May, and Lorraine Freund, a Helene, contained strong character studies. This is a moving glimpse into the consequences of war.
No one who has seen Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George will ever view the Art Institute’s famous Seurat painting in quite the same way. In fact, the painting itself becomes a character in the play — reflecting time and mood as lighting plays on it, shifting shadows. Pointillist painting and pointed play come to life simultaneously as each tree and figure in that famous park emerges on the huge theater backdrop.
Frankenstein is part Gothic novel, part romantic novel, and now, is considered one of the first science fiction novels. The name “Frankenstein” has become associated with “creature,” “monster”, “fiend”, “wretch”, “vile insect”, “daemon”, “being”, and “it.” The novel influenced all horror stories to follow.
Director Brenda Didier and music director Jeremy Ramey have mounted a fabulous musical revue of the songs of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller prolific composers of 60- 70’s pop, rick, R & B. blues and gospel tunes
Beginning with Poe’s character, Christian Gray’s gifted voice is beautiful for the gentle moments as well as the madness. He whispers, modulates and yet explodes passionately while crying out lines from his poems.
Zimmerman’s take on the Ovid poems necessitates being stage in water – here a square two foot deep pool as a universal symbol of transformation. Featuring many of the original cast and veterans of past productions, the 2012 production has a zest and polish seldom witnessed on stage. Metamorphoses is a vivid, often funny, and totally engaging and fluid theatrical piece of storytelling
Playwright Lewis puts a human face on the contradictions facing scientists as they treat emotional scares from memories. This is a cautionary tale that resonates today as actual scientific research on editing memories is taking place
Yet there is much to enjoy, loads of funny bits and the engaging use of the space with full audience participation becomes endearing. I had to admire the skill, craftsmanship and energy of the cast. They work so hard to tell their stories and to entertain us that we both admire them and applaud their efforts.
Sweet Bird of Youth features Williams’ lyrical language and deep sense of internal pain that often become a part of his characters. Loss of beauty and feelings of unworthiness are themes Williams like to explore. He also most effectively uses direct address toward the audience to hammer home comments. The three hour, two intermission drama flows nicely into a breezy evening of theatre.
Equivocation is a dense, wordy work containing material about the complex relationship between art and politics; between the truth and lies. Are Shags (and us) ready to pay the price for telling the truth?