by Colin Thomas | Nov 10, 2016 | Review
The Who’s Tommy is beyond the abilities of this company. And that’s not a big knock on Renegade Arts; this material is ridiculously difficult. In this stage version of the story, which is based on The Who’s concept album from 1969, Tommy’s dad comes home from WWII, in...
by Colin Thomas | Nov 7, 2016 | Review
In Detroit, Lisa D’Amour has created a kind of comedy of despair. It’s fueled by fierce, often futile, resistance. Ben, who has lost his job in banking, spends his days trying to build a website to sell his services to people who are scrabbling to get out of debt....
by Colin Thomas | Nov 4, 2016 | Review
On its surface, Now or Later is a shiny political object. But, at least in this interpretation, the play doesn’t make sense. This mounting from Fighting Chance Productions is beyond timely. The story takes place on the eve of an American presidential election. We’re...
by Colin Thomas | Oct 31, 2016 | Review
Leave a Comment This ain’t a review, see? It’s a tip. And, if you know what’s good for ya, you’ll act on it. Fast. In 2013, solo artist Deanna Fleysher brought Butt Kapinskito the Vancouver Fringe. It contained some of the best clowning I’ve seen. Butt, the title...
by Colin Thomas | Oct 31, 2016 | Review
Bakersfield Mist is raucously funny sometimes and even moving in moments, but the script isn’t as smart as it pretends to be. LA playwright Stephen Sachs drew inspiration for Bakersfield Mist from real-life characters and events. The stakes are high. In the early...
by Colin Thomas | Oct 31, 2016 | Review
Sometimes, when you see a show, you know that an artist is offering you a personal gift. That’s what it’s like with Maki Yi’s Suitcase Stories. The script isn’t perfect, but both the play and production are important, skilled in many ways—and heartfelt. In her solo...
