The life and loves of Fanny Brice come alive in this stellar performance by Esther Covington who carries the show with charisma and charm, accompanied by talented musical director Tom Fuller. This American Century Theater production captures the high and low notes of this icon who set the tone for modern screwball comedy. As noted […]
The Tenth Man
The Tenth Man is considered a curiosity in the catalog of the great writer Paddy Chayefsky, lacking the gritty realism of his famous early teleplays such as the classic “Marty” (later an award-winning film) or the sharp satiric edge of his later screenplays such as “Network” and “The Hospital”. This dramatic-mystical-comedic-romantic-fable about the exorcism of […]
Serenading Louie
Two attractive couples, conversation, alcohol, deep-seated unhappiness and betrayal abounding … nope, it isn’t Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf? It’s Serenading Louie, being presented with quiet style at The American Century Theater. The sniping here is less vicious, the tension thick without the muffle…but there’s still a lot of Albee seen in playwright Lanford Wilson’s […]
Treadwell: Bright and Dark
In a word, Treadwell: Bright and Dark, now in its world-premiere run at Arlington’s Theatre on the Run, is dull, dull, dull. Actually, that’s three words. But you get the picture. Directed by Stephen Jarrett and starring Melissa Flaim in the title role, this brand new, not-ready-for-prime-time one-woman show was penned by Allison Currin and […]
Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?
George Axelrod’s deal-with-the-devil comedy Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? is your ticket to a lighthearted evening of laughter, delightful costumes, and a wealth of talent.
A Piece of My Heart
There was a time when A Piece of My Heart was one of only a few collections of women’s experiences in the Vietnam War. Playwright Shirley Lauro’s portrayal of women and their stories goes behind the scenes and shares the thoughts, feelings and emotions from the vantage point of women in service.
Seascape
The thought that an Edward Albeean couple – George and Martha, if they had been mellow and sober – would, on a summer’s afternoon spent on the beach, meet up with two enormous lizard-like sea creatures who would also be a bickering husband-and-wife team
Native Son
It’s a sad commentary that some of the same basic societal ills depicted in this 1941 stage adaptation of Richard Wright’s “Native Son” are as relevant today as they were then, which makes this eagerly awaited production more important than ever.
An American Century Christmas
An American Century Christmas Conceived and compiled by Jack Marshall, Thomas D. Fuller and Kathryn Fuller Directed by Jack Marshall Produced by American Century Theater Reviewed by Ted Ying There was a time when the televised Christmas specials were amongst the most anticipated parts of the season. Anyone over the age of 10 probably remembers […]
Life with Father
Life with Father Written by Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse Directed by Rip Claassen Produced by American Century Theater Reviewed by Debbie Minter Jackson Think nostalgic, archetypical family structure with father firmly ensconced as lord of the manor, early American style, exquisite furnishings, resplendent couture, a phalanx of maids each duty-bound and hell-bent on pleasing […]
A Passion for Justice
A Passion for Justice: The Clarence Darrow Story by Jack Marshall and Paul Morella directed by Jack Marshall produced by The American Century Theater & Clarence Darrow Productions reviewed by Steven McKnight There’s an old saying that the secret to success for a trial lawyer is sincerity – if you can fake that, the rest is […]
Dr. Cook’s Garden
Dr. Cook’s Garden written by Ira Levin directed by Ellen Dempsey produced by The American Century Theater reviewed by Debbie Minter Jackson Dr. Cook’s Garden is a wickedly good time. In a quaint little homespun Vermont town, a treasured family doctor reveals just how much he loves his perfect little town and how far he […]