“I am haunted by humans” – Death from The Book Thief
In their Steppenwolf for Young Adults series, Heidi Stillman’s adaptation of the 2006 novel by Markys Zusak captures the essence of life during the World War II Era in Germany. The production, directed by Halle Gordon, misses several opportunities to impact audiences stronger that it actually does
Read MoreWho would think that a female actor/director could write a play about Vietnam? But Susan Felder sure did and its a terrific gritty war drama. With a swiftly paced intensity and loads of suspense, Wasteland unfolds as a riveting two-hander upon an awesome set (by Kevin Depinet) that depicts an American solder, circa 1972 captured by the VC and isolated in an underground cave
Read MoreIn short, if you desire thoroughly gripping readings of these great warhorses, you might not find it here; but for anyone open to an unusually “sweetened” take on a composer with a reputation for being a bit dour, or to simply hearing a great orchestra in two thoroughly wonderful pieces, this program has undeniable merit.
Read MoreKinky Boots comes off as a cliche-ridden story that reminds one of La Cage Aux Folles and Hairspray with hints of British sociopolitical elements, like Billy Elliot. The story revolves around Charlie Price ( the golden boy empathetic Stark Sands) who is forced to save his family’s shoe manufacturing business in Northern England following the death of his father
Read More“Iceman” and “Follies” take top honors
at the 44th Annual Jeff Awards
“The Pitmen Painters” and “Doyle & Debbie”
also win production awards
Why is Sylvia Gellburg (Jacqueline Grandt) paralyzed from the waste down when medically she seems fine? Why does Phillip Gellburg (Neal Grofman) come off as attacking, argumentative and self-loathing? What does the horrible news of Kristallnacht in Berlin in November of 1938 so upset Sylvia that she seems obsessed with fear that the attacks on Jews could come to her Brooklyn neighborhood?
Read MoreCan a fabulously rich woman find happiness with a relative pauper? Can a woman with a father fixation come to terms with an oedipal mate? What happens when parents influence their children (and their choice of partners) from beyond the grave? Come and find out.
Read More…Billy Pacholski has mounted a workable production of Stephen Sondheim’s strange musical. The video (by Ryan Fukuda) underscored the events presented nicely and the general tone of the work went for presented the assassins as ‘real people- just like us according to producer/director Billy Pacholski’s production notes. But since these dysfunctional folks were a mixture of insane and demented losers, any attempt to show them as ‘regular’ folks failed from the outset.
Read MoreA stunning piece of stagecraft that melds big ideas with personal stories in this revisit of the National Theatre of Scotland’s landmark production.
Read MoreThe combination of having all the players and musicians performing (and looking like clowns) utilizing the physical gesture and practices of European Clowning techniques together with ample use of Quezada-Perez’s invention of “la mise en clown” style of theatre makes for a special theatrical experience.
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