Make Me

June 1st, 2009

Leslie Ayvazian has done it for a second time.  Her new full length screenplay, entitled Make Me, has been brought to life on Atlantic Theater’s second stage under the direction of Christian Parker.  The play follows three story lines involving 6 people who are at a turning point in their relationships.  All, consciously or subconsciously, are effected by each other and drawn to grey the lines between day-to-day patterns, power, and control.

The highly talented and stage savvy cast played believably between each other and alone.  Jessica Hect was lovable and relatable as the wife and mother, Connie.  Her presence with the audience was vivid yet natural and her slight awkwardness was almost comforting to watch.  Others including Anthony Arkin, Candy Buckley, and Richard Masur graced the stage with understanding and depth.  Even still, Ellen Parker and J.R. Horne were both believable and touching as Sissy and Hank, the retired couple next door, the perhaps nosey couple, the sweet and nurturing couple and together the two shared the most precious moment of the production.  The two are seated on the couch and in a moment of complete silence, all emotion is completely understood.

Make Me opened last night, Sunday May 31st and will continue it’s run at the Atlantic Stage 2 through Sunday, June 14th.  The limited engagement will go by quickly and it is one you should place close to top on your must see Off-Broadway productions.

Make Me

Offices by Ethan Coen

May 6th, 2009

The corporate world is known neither for excitement nor fun.  Leave it to Academy Award winning film maker Ethan Coen to make it undeniably hysterical.  Offices opened last night at Manhattan’s Atlantic Theatre Company where it will enlight and entertain audiences through June 7th.

officesoffices

The hour and thirty minute production is brimming with character as three, one-act plays take life on stage.  In these separate offices, home life and the workplace don’t always mesh and “climbing the ladder” appears misanthropic and alienating. The cast, under the fabulous direction of Neil Pepe, is sensational.  Aya Cash takes on three separate roles with ease and agility while F. Murray Abraham is uproariously entertaining as the bum in “Struggle Session”. His character had to be one of my favorites. Philosophical and paradoxical with a dialogue you would never dream of falling asleep to, but really, would you expect any less from our Coen brother?  I think not.

offices

Search

Featured