Tom Williams

The main problem is John Weidman’s book. that quite superficially presents the Mizner brothers with a too broad a scope. The brothers, as presented, are two con men out to fleece the public on their way to pursuing the American Dream. Addison is presented, despite terrific work by Michael Aaron Lindner, a weak personality who is a failure as a con man completely subservient to his younger brother.. Wilson, played nicely by Andrew Rothenberg, is presented as a shiftless, ruthless and charming entrepreneurial con man whose addiction to cocaine and gambling made him always in need of cash.

This ambitious adventure, The Killing of Michael X, now in a world premiere, utilizes nice film work by Alex Hand with video projections by Neil Pandya with technical direction by Andrew Swanson and stage direction by Kaiser Ahmed. These artists did their best to breath life into Cory Hinkle’s awful script

The early scenes are filled with awkward humor, razor-sharp quips , and subtle sensuality. Vanda’s black leather dominatrix outfit suggests she is ready to do whatever it takes to get the role. Thomas resists her at first. But during this 95 minute one act, a semi-erotic power play emerges between the two

Brandon Hardy (Will Kiley) is the brilliant, popular, good looking jock who is one of the elite seniors at St. Joe’s Prep school where the upper class boys prepare for the Ivy League and a life as part of the ruling class in Washington, D. C. Brandon’s future is threatened by a videotape found on the campus

Interspersed, are the four members of an online support group of crack cocaine addicts as each struggle daily with their addiction. We see Haikumon lead the group and be its censor for foul language. She can lead the group yet she can’t seem to handle her life off line. The Internet becomes a place of safety and understanding for these addicts. We see their struggles for redemption from their constant personal failings due to their drug use.