Rivendell Theatre presents the World Premiere of Rasheeda Speaking. Playwright Joel Drake Johnson’s story prompts a “No, she didn’t” response followed closely by a hand over the mouth. His conversations provoke a definite uncomfortable reaction. Stereotypes are teased out. Some of the dialogue is candy-coated politically correct. And other times, the offensive barb is just hurled. Johnson provides ...
R.I.P. Hobogirl
I tore my skirt yesterday. I was just walking up the stairs and I stepped on the hem and RIP! It’s unrepairable. The tear wasn’t on a seam. It was the splitting of worn fabric. It was such a colorful skirt that it wasn’t really noticeable (I like to think) that I had a hole ...
Stinkin’ Thinkin’
Al Franken created the Stuart Smalley character for an ongoing Saturday Night Live skit. Before Franken became a U.S. Senator, he entertained as a self-proclaimed guru. He was a man ‘in recovery’ from a lot of self-help groups. He promoted a positive attitude with his daily affirmations. Stuart’s catch-phrase was “I’m good enough. I’m smart enough. And ...
EXTENDED Thru 4/6 “Hedda Gabler” (Writer’s Theatre): Fry-ed to Perfection
On Thursday, I saw Hedda Gabler for the last time – Kate Fry’s (Hedda) sublime performance has ruined me for any future Hedda Gabler productions. Playwright Henrik Ibsen, translated by Nicholas Rudall, penned a tale of a complex woman. The classic centers around the newly-married Hedda. Living in the late 1800s, Hedda is discontent with the social mores of the era. The convention ...
Review “Luck of the Irish” (Next Theatre): Well-built, Heart-felt Homestead
Next Theatre Company presents the Midwest Premiere of LUCK OF THE IRISH. Obie Award-winning Playwright Kirsten Greenidge tackles entitlement in a multi-layered, multi-generational tale about a house. At the heart of Greenidge’s story is a 1950s arrangement between a black couple and a white couple. Dr. and Mrs. Taylor want a better life for their daughters. They ...
Review “Through The Leaves” (Side Project Theatre): Heartbreaking yet Hopeful
Reviewed by Sara Eisenbaum and Katrina L. Wyss Side Project Theatre presents Through the Leaves. “Through the Leaves” is a play that represents well what happens when stream of consciousness takes center stage. The play centers around a middle aged woman in Germany who is a butcher. While she does not outwardly struggle with the fact that she ...
Calm down, bro! It’s MLK not Xmas!
“Calm down, bro! It’s P.E. not the olympics.” - Noah’s shirt I’m spending the MLK holiday at my parents. Last night, I gathered with mom and dad, sisters, my nieces and nephews. Chinese food, NFC playoffs and a spirited game of Sequence. There is something about family and the MLK holiday that just works. Thanksgiving and ...
Review “Solstice” (A Red Orchid): Riveting!
A Red Orchid Theatre presents SOLSTICE. Playwright Zinnie Harris penned a disturbing tale. The setting and time period is anywhere in the near future. In a town separated by economic and religious differences, one family is the microcosm. Dad is a religious fanatic. Son is a rebellious teenager. Mom is afflicted with an environmental disease. Uncle tries to ...
Being Zenned out at Work
I had lunch with a colleague yesterday. In 2014, I’m committed to sitting down with each of our 23 staff for a purely social getting-to-know-you meal. This was the first one. Jen is the most senior person on staff. She started in 1999. I’ve been there since 2004. Although we’ve worked together for nearly ten ...
Recovering NRA Member
Yesterday, Steve texted me, “I hope you didn’t know anyone in the Elkhart shootings?” What the what? Two people were gunned down at a grocery store Wednesday night. I grew up in Elkhart, Indiana. My parents shop at that Martins. Earlier this week, a man was killed for texting during the previews at a movie theatre. I love to go to ...