Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls — and the rest of us
I have no doubt that Dave Deveau’s Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls is a force for good in the world — and by that I mean a force for love. And the resolutions of this story about a trans boy, his friend, and family moved me to tears. My fuller response is more...
How the World Began — and how it stalled
It’s kind of like a horror movie with an obvious out — like “Why don’t they just call the cops?” In her 2011 script How the World Began, Catherine Trieschmann sets up an artificial conflict between the scientific and the religious. Susan has recently arrived in...
A Public Reading of an Unproduced Screenplay about the Death of Walt Disney … is a long title
There are several layers of experimentation going on here. Some of them work. A couple work splendidly. Playwright Lucas Hnath really does present A Public Reading of an Unproduced Screenplay about the Death of Walt Disney as a public reading. Four actors file...
Made in Italy: Do they take returns?
I was sitting in the theatre writing notes about the end of civilization. I mean, I understand the value of distraction, but does it have to be this mindless, this reactionary? I’m not saying there isn’t skill involved in this production of Made in Italy. Farren...
Men Express Their Feelings — for your delight and edification
I’m having an identity crisis. If Vancouver companies don’t stop producing such good shows, I’m going to lose my reputation for being a hard ass. Zee Zee Theatre’s production of Sunny Drake’s Men Express Their Feelings is a terrific ride. It’s about two father/son...
Bunny: Hop to it. (Sorry, but you really should.)
Because standing up for everything makes standing ovations meaningless, I hardly ever give them. But I was on my feet at the end of Bunny before I knew it — and I was hollering, “Brava! Brava! Brava!” I was so moved by this play and production. And I am so proud of...
bad eggs: good try
Unladylike co., which is producing bad eggs, is a new, young, feminist company. I’m sympathetic on all these fronts — and I can’t recommend this production. Written by Jessica Hood, bad eggs, which is being presented online, plucks Persephone and Hades from their myth...
Clean/Espejos: One of the best shows in years
Clean/Espejos is so good that I’m worried about not doing being able to do it justice in this review. The script — written by Christine Quintana with translation and adaptation by Paula Zelaya-Cervantes — is an impressively mature work of art that its two characters...
Ominous Sounds at the River Crossing: There are no bridges
Especially if you’re over 50, don’t bother with this play; you don’t have that much good time left. Jason Sherman’s new script Ominous Sounds at the River Crossing; or, Another Fucking Dinner Party Play is funny — but only for about the first ten minutes. After that,...
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