Dramas

There is nothing quite as gripping as a taut drama that explores the human condition. Here are some of my reviews of dramas:

Love twists and turns through Williamston’s production of ‘Bright Half Life’, Encore Michigan, May 2, 2024

Flint Rep furnishes riveting battle of wits and emotion in new ‘Virginia Woolf’, Encore Michigan, Apr. 4, 2024

MSU presents powerful, compelling story of loss and anger, Encore Michigan, Apr. 1, 2023

Tipping Point offers inviting ‘Wonderful Life” radio show, Encore Michigan, Dec. 6, 2022

Detroit Rep’s Life on the Moon explores challenges of life with a high-needs loved one, Encore Michigan, Nov. 29, 2022

The Jigsaw Bride, OnStage Blog, First Folio Theatre, Chicago, Oct. 21, 2021

Happy Days, OnStage Blog, Flint Repertory Theatre, Flint, Oct. 18, 2021

The Lifespan of a Fact, OnStage Blog, Theatre Nova, Ann Arbor, Sept. 29, 2021

Children of a Lesser God, OnStage Blog, Hope Summer Rep, Holland, Aug. 5, 2021

On Golden Pond, OnStage Blog, Tibbits Opera House, Coldwater, Aug. 5, 2021

The Mountaintop, OnStage Blog, Hope Summer Rep, Holland, July 7, 2021

To Quiet the Quiet, Lansing State Journal, Williamston Theatre, Feb. 8, 2019

900 Miles to International Falls, Encore Michigan, Williamston Theatre, Feb. 11, 2020

The Cake, Encore Michigan, Farmer’s Alley, Feb. 11, 2020

Apples in Winter, Encore Michigan, Ixion, Oct. 29, 2019

The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, Encore Michigan, Flint Rep, Sept. 16, 2019

The Glass Menagerie, Encore Michigan, Flint Rep, April 8, 2019

The Gin Game, Encore Michigan, Williamston Theatre, March 31 2019

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Encore Michigan, Farmer’s Alley, March 16, 2019

  • Koch captures that desperation while portraying a wide range of emotions from love, concern, anger, frustration and sorrow. While his character continually makes promises he can’t keep, Koch consistently delivers a beautifully moving picture of what it means to be the caretaker of someone whose needs are so demanding.

    Review of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time"

The Wolves, Encore Michigan, Flint Rep, Feb. 17, 2019

Doubt, Encore Michigan, Farmer’s Alley, Feb. 12, 2019

A Doll’s House, Pt. 2, Encore Michigan, Farmer’s Alley, Nov. 4, 2018

Silent Sky, Encore Michigan, Williamston Theatre, Sept. 30, 2018

An Iliad, Encore Michigan, Hope Summer Rep., July 24, 2018

Memoir, Encore Michigan, Williamston, July 22, 2018

Out of Orbit, Encore Michigan, Williamston, May 29, 2018

Angels in America, Encore Michigan, What a Do, May 8, 2018

Back County Crimes, Encore Michigan, What a Do, Oct. 1, 2017

  • One of the things that makes this show so successful is the willingness of the actors to step outside of the normal and to go big. The characters are often larger than life. Wolfe doesn’t necessarily want us to immediately identify with these characters. Instead he presents them as strange, often bordering on insane, motivated by strong, singular emotions.

    Review of "Back-County Crimes"

A View from the Bridge, Encore Michigan, Hope Summer Rep, July 30, 2017

Miracle Worker, Encore Michigan, The Great Escape, July 25, 2017

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Encore Michigan, May 7, 2017

A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Encore Michigan, April 13, 2017

1984, Encore Michigan, Williamston Theatre, April 1, 2017

The Outsiders, Encore Michigan, What a Do, Feb. 11, 2017

Our Lady of Poison, Lansing State Journal, Williamston Theatre, Feb. 7, 2018

 

 

  • Menzel creates a contrast with her character to the others in class, confidence, and delicacy. She brings a bird-like quality to her character, beautiful, sympathetic, but frail and quick to take flight.

    Review of "Our Lady of Poison"