The Rest

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Written by Jim Campbell Friday, 09 June 2006 04:02

The list of terrific performances is extensive as everyone pulled together to make this a fabulous ensemble production.

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Sunday, 04 June 2006 06:05

Normally, I am impressed by the Black Rep's productions. Unfortunately, this performance was plagued with sound issues for most of the first act, which caused the dialogue-heavy story to suffer.

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Written by Jeffrey Ricker Tuesday, 23 May 2006 05:26

The play, conceived by Joe Mantegna and written by members of The Organic Theatre, follows the action of a Chicago Cubs–St. Louis Cardinals game at Wrigley Field from the perspective of the folks in the cheap seats—the bleacher bums.

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Written by Byron Kerman Friday, 12 May 2006 15:49

The saucy muse presents the artist with a vial of magic dust to conjure creativity. It’s a mite fey and childish. Will Tinkerbell be flitting through now?

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Written by Anne Earney Friday, 12 May 2006 06:57

Michelle Hand, as the youngest, Deborah, both in appearance and demeanor embodied the lessening effect of history on subsequent generations, as fear lifts and lightness takes its place, and the struggle to find a balance between the past and the future grows more removed.

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Written by Jim Campbell Sunday, 07 May 2006 16:05

With lines such as, “I hope I didn’t dent your ’do,” “I wish everyday was negro day!” and “If we get one more white person in here, it will be a suburb” to deliver, how could the laughs not be forthcoming?

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Written by Jim Campbell Sunday, 30 April 2006 05:13

Hickey was sensational in the lead role of Jasiu. His ability to play the straight man in a play peppered with hilarious one-liners and well-thought-out comedic scenes was terrific.

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Written by Anne Earney Sunday, 30 April 2006 05:07

Ed Smith’s direction made great use of the space; nothing appeared artificial or contrived.

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Written by Jim Campbell Friday, 28 April 2006 08:03

For those in the audience who have ties to the nation of Israel, the play illustrates how their people fought for independence, both in the war room and the battlefield. For those of us that aren't as knowledgeable of the history of Israel, the play was more of an extended history lesson than anything else. Rather dry in some parts, the story suffered most when Meir rattled off specific events leading up to the country's independence.

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Written by Sean Moeller Tuesday, 25 April 2006 04:25

"I don’t know what it would be like to actually play guitar. I’ve toured with a lot of comedians and it’s never been like it is for a rock band."

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Written by Anne Earney Tuesday, 18 April 2006 09:21

Sketches of nude women adorned the edges of the stage, lest the audience forget what the show was about before it began.

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Written by Byron Kerman Tuesday, 18 April 2006 09:15

Where the hell has Magan Wiles been hiding? The young actress, in the lead role of Dani, doesn’t so much act her role as she becomes it.

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Written by Byron Kerman Tuesday, 18 April 2006 08:59

Not nearly enough of that Bollywood glitter and glamour, save for a scene in which starring lady Rani (Sandra Allen) descends from above, singing while perched on a dazzling crescent moon.

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Written by Jim Campbell Friday, 31 March 2006 09:28

Cracking jokes at every turn, Kline won over the audience with his warm spirit and humble demeanor.

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Written by Anne Earney Friday, 31 March 2006 06:31

Hanrahan’s Frank has a bit more humor than his little brother—a little less pride and maybe a touch more loyalty—although the play leaves that open to interpretation.

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Wednesday, 29 March 2006 10:49

“There are some pretty basic philosophies within this. Success begets success is one of them. The very best people are hired in, the very best meaning that they have certain qualities or standouts—but that’s not necessarily what our goal is. Our goal is to create solid, interesting ensembles, but they seem to feed off one another that way,” says Kligerman.

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Written by Byron Kerman Thursday, 23 March 2006 08:18

Those swanky sets are the product of that Rep money—they’re the most beautiful backdrops in town.

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Written by Anne Earney Thursday, 23 March 2006 07:41

Bruce Collins was perfectly cast as Norman Thayer Jr., humorously portraying an old man in his twilight years. He delivered his lines as the dialogue of a man who had settled solidly into a rut he loved.

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Written by Mark Bruder Tuesday, 21 March 2006 18:05

Each scene which involved Gillendaro inevitably led to laughs, especially his performance in the final scene as Pyramus, performing for the Duke and the wedding parties.

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Written by Anne Earney Tuesday, 21 March 2006 17:00

Putting the parents' home in the center worked on a metaphorical level, as well, although the play showed that the true center of a family can not easily be pinpointed.

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Written by Anne Earney Tuesday, 21 March 2006 16:48

Although James is mostly known as an outlaw and bank robber, Hanrahan said he felt James could be classified as “more of a terrorist.”

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Written by Jeffrey Ricker Monday, 20 March 2006 10:06

Brian Hyde portrays Hickey with all the slickness of a traveling salesman and the certainty of a messiah, and is equally effective when that veneer crumbles at the end.