Mojada (A Medea in Los Angeles)

 A stunning production of Luis Alfaro's play about a woman trapped by rules and laws that make her an easy prey. Building on Euripedes's play and the all-too-common circumstances of immigrants into the US from Mexico, the play avails itself of the the obvious (a woman betrayed by her ambitious husband) and the less obvious (curanderos, traditional healers attributed with magical powers) parallels between its protagonist and the sorceress Medea of Greek legend. Powerful performance by Camila Moreno as Medea.

Elevada (Sheila Callaghan)

A terrific romantic comedy about cancer and love, that steers away from sentimentality and veers clear of moralizing. And it's funny!


We were particularly impressed with the way the frequent scene changes were handled.  Bravo to the set, lighting, and sound designers!

Recommend.

The Realistic Jones (Eno)

Fascinating Will Eno play that foregrounds the multiple layers of meaning in every utterance.  Great acting brought together by forceful direction.

When Yale Rep takes chances like this one, I hope the plays success with audiences and critics will encourage them to take many more chances.

Highly recommended.

The Winter's Tale (Shakespeare)

A fine, refined production by Yale Rep and directed by Liz Diamond.  Except for the inexplicable decision to have Autolycus sing many of his lines, the production provided the audience with clearly conceived characters whose lines are so well delivered that no notes were necessary to follow the plot.

Highly recommend.

A Doctor in Spite of Himself (Moliere, adapated by Christopher Bayes and Steven Epp)

Silly, silly waste of time.

Three Sisters (Anton Chekhov; new version, Sarah Ruhl)

Devastating production of a heart-wretching work.

Recommend

Autumn Sonata (Bergman)

Recommend.

The Piano Lesson (August Wilson)

Fine performances of Wilson's searing examination of retribution and honor.

Highly recommend.

A Delicate Balance (Edward Albee)

Because I attended a conversation with Edward Albee last Friday, I was more alert to Beckett's influence on his plays. The sets may look realistic, and the characters recognizable, but many of his techniques come straight from Beckett and theatre of the absurd.

This brutal, searing 3-hour play requires a production that mesmerizes the audience with perfect timing and powerful performances for every member of the ensemble. All were good--though in being good, Chalfant was disappointing--while Ellen McLaughlin was superb. What a great performance she gave.

Recommend. We saw it opening night; it might merit seeing in another week.

Battle of Black and Dogs (Bernard-Marie Koltes)

Overwhelming production of a powerful, overwhelming play.

Recommend with caveats.

Notes from Underground, Dostoevsky

Outstanding performance of an existentialist text that fails to justify its own cruelty.

Recommend.

The Robbers, Friedrich Schiller

Passion Play, Sarah Ruhl

Boleros for the Disenchanted, Jose Rivera

Richard II (Shakespeare)

Yale Repertory Theatre

Eurydice (Sarah Ruhl?)

Brundibar

Children's opera written in WW2 concentration camp; translated by Tony Kushner and sets by Maurice Sendak.

The People Next Door (Henry Adam)