Dedication or The Stuff of Dreams [B]

I felt similar to the way I felt when I saw a reading of this new Terrence McNally play - it's not quite finished yet. Unfortunately, it's been a year and very little polishing has been done. And still, it's a good show. The two leads are terrific, but, by and large, the rest of the cast doesn't keep up with them. The show touches a few nerves, but leaves them mostly unresolved. Still I recommend it: it's funny, touching, and thought-provoking. I'm just a bit disappointed because it seems like it could be even more.

Ivanov [A]

I really like this one. Most view this as one of Chekhov's lesser plays, but it works for me. I particularly like the cast/direction of this version, done by the National Asian American Theatre Company. It's light and humorous - it avoids the ponderous feel that Chekhov plays often have.

Sadly, I don't remember much about the Lincoln Center, Kevin Kline production from 1997, but I certainly don't think it moved me as much as this one.

Oedipus at Palm Springs [B-]

A fascinating show. Very weird, very campy, very ... interesting. Did I mention it's weird?

This really is Oedipus brought forward to the 21st century and set in Palm Springs. It's really a must see show just becuase it's ... what it is. I do agree with the reviewer who said that the writing was better than the acting, but still see it if you're a theatre buff.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels [B]

This is a modern version of an old fashioned musical comedy. It's funny, musical, amusing, etc, etc, etc. It's not memorable, but it is a lot of fun and makes for a really plesant evening - and that's enough.

The Taming of the Shrew [C]

This is another Shakespeare in the Parking Lot - a 90 minute (well actually 110 minute) no intermission, modernized version of the original. This is not one of my favorite Shakespeares, and it didn't take to the parking lot atmosphere as well as "Richard III".

Manuscript [C+]

I liked this show some of the time, and I left liking it overall, but there were spells where is just wandered around and lost my interest. It's kind of funny, kind of interesting, but not hilarious or spellbinding.

Primo [B]

This is a very good show. It's interesting, informative, and entertaining. For better or for worse, I learned a great deal about day to day life at Auschwitz. Anthony Sher is very good at expressing the nuanced feelings/thoughts of Primo Levy.

Surprisingly, I did not find this an emotionally moving play. It was quite thought-provoking, and pretty upsetting, but it (intentionally I think) does not have heavy emotional impact. It is a rational, thoughtful presentation of the daily horrors that occurred at Auschwitz. Not until the last few lines when Sher described the humiliation felt by one of the Russian liberators did I feel any emotional impact.

As You Like It [A]

I love this play, and this version is particularly well done. Lynn Collins, as Rosalind is terrific, as is Brian Bedford. Everybody else is very good, and Richard Thomas stands. It seems, in this case, that the common wisdom is true: Shakespeare in the Park is better when there are no superstars in it.