Non-Registered Critics: Jeffrey Scott
Little Women
The entire cast is superb, specifically the ensemble who has the unique opportunity to play out the imagination of the lead character, Jo's, stories. Thereby creating more life within the play and more possibilities and opportunities for these talented , supporting actors.
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The Thanksgiving Play
The performances are all strong, however Michael John Garces has directed the actors to be very one dimensional and stereotypical in their characters. Nothing is horrible, I simply came out hoping for a little more power and directness.
This is a dark comedy with dry humor, if you enjoy 'Saturday Night Live', you will love this production. If you don't...you probably won't.
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THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP - A PENNY DREADFUL
Director Carla Cackowski brings her skills and prowess from her Second City days and embeds the two actors in the free-form structure of improvisation so Ludlum's words are expressed with freedom, clarity, and (above all) humor-driven characters.
Both actors are superb in their roles (I believe nine, total). But each come at them from much different comedy stylings.
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Constantinople
For about ¾ of the show, the stakes are high and the acting is solid and personal! The beginning scene or two are a tad stiff and slow, but once everyone warmed up, the show sailed like a battleship...full-force.
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Miss Lilly Gets Boned
Rarely is there a production of such high quality within such a small space, where all elements (cast, artistic, script, direction) gel-together so well that they form an incredible evening of theatre. Such a rare event is that of Rogue Machine's West Coast premier of Bekah Brunstetter's "Miss Lilly Gets Boned" directed by Robin Larsen.
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Constantinople
The plot unfolds as the editor of a feminist journal (the masterful Jade Hykush) and a guerrilla fighter (the exhilarating Travis Laughlin) coordinate missions for the recovery of women and children abducted during the genocide. Stakes are high and the acting is solid and personal! Kouyoumdjian tells the story with a new voice. A modern voice. Today's voice. A brilliant piece of staging utilizes the transitions between the scenes…with original music.
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Never Is Now
Kudos to Tony Abatemarco and Celia Mandela Rivera for superb direction, guiding with knowledgeable, gentle hands that allow the actors to soar and the pathos to flow.
Plain and simple, "Never is Now" is an extremely rare moment in time in which a portion of history that has been presented multiple times one way, is presented in a very unique unveiling. Go see it. Even if you are familiar with the subject matter, you will see it, hear it, feel it, in a different way. The voice is different and you will be different for seeing it.
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Ready Steady Yeti Go
Regarding the script, the performances sail above the often meandering script that makes some strong points and allows the actors to have some wonderfully strong acting moments. However the ending left this reviewer wondering "what is the author trying to say"?
Director Guillermo Cienfuegos (and Movement Director, Myrna Gawryn) keep a nice, crisp pace throughout the entire production with fluid stage movement, and (even though performance styles are divided) performances are strong and clear.
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Wild Son: The Testimony of Christian Brando
“As a theatrical triumph, "Wild Son" is 100%! RUN, don't walk. Mese is a captivating, enthralling, and a bewitching actor who casts a spell over the audience with his storytelling. You do not have to be a fan of the Brando Family to be enthralled by this production, go for the stellar acting and quality writing/directing” - Broadway World
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