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Dog Act Review: Wendy Caster, Show Showdown

Friday, February 11, 2011 0 comments

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Lori E. Parquet, Becky Byers)

Wendy Caster's review is up at Show Showdown, and it is a moving one, especially as I read it next to the image of Patrick Lee. Choosing my favorite quote is hard - I'm particularly touched by the last paragraph - but her description of the play's themes is really special:
Dog Act is a meditation on religion, civilization, responsibility, morals, the implacability of the life force, and how the arts/media bring meaning to people's lives. It's also extremely entertaining, breathtakingly imaginative, and quite funny (especially in the second act).
The thematic ambition of the play is easy to miss in how frequently funny it is, and I especially love her phrase, "the implacability of the life force". That might just be one of the unsaid themes of every Flux play, actually...


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Dog Act Review: Scott Brown, New York Magazine

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Julian Stetkevych, Zack Robidas)

Our third review is out, as part of an anti-Spiderman round up from New York Magazine's Scott Brown. My favorite quote this time is easy to pull:
"playwright Liz Duffy Adams has a few tricks that put her a notch above your average Brechtswept wasteland: A genuinely crystalline ear for rough, poetic dialogue; a handful of simple, honest themes--possibilities for kindness in a savage world, guilt as a luxury and a form of selfishness--in lieu of sprawling world-building; and, most crucially, the savage talents of the Flux Theater Ensemble."
Yoi, savage talents! He also challenges the length of the play, and while you could perhaps cut some and not loose the plot, doing so might take away some of my favorite parts - Zetta's story of Jem and the sea, or Vera's tales of the warring tribes - and I'm happy to sacrifice some speed for greater richness. How about you?
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Dog Act Review: Jon Sobel, Blogcritics

Wednesday, February 9, 2011 1 comments

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Liz Douglas, Lori E. Parquet, Becky Byers, Chris Wight)

Review #2 is out! Job Sobel from Blogcritics has a lot of good things to say, and choosing my favorite quote here is tricky, but this shout-out to our amazing design team seems worth singling out:
Baleful lighting (by Kia Rogers) and season-shifting crashes of unearthly thunder (sound design by Elizabeth Rhodes) are all that's needed to evoke the dreary landscape; the actors' cart, which also serves as their rough stage, constitutes the entire set (by Jason Paradine), and it's spectacular.
You should read the whole thing - his description of Liz's language (and celebration of force of nature Becky Byers) are well worth the clicking.

So, read the full review here, then get your tix (still some $14 tix with the code "FUGHAT" for the 9th and 10th), and then leave your own thoughts on the play here.

Wang tang that wallow!
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Dog Act Review: Joshua Bambino, Theatre Is Easy

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenabum. Pictured: Liz Douglas, Becky Byers)

Our first review is out! Not a moment too soon, as our all-too-short run is nearing its midway point at frightening speed. Joshua Bambino's positive review on Theatre Is Easy is a great read, and he asks some interesting questions about the balance of naturalism and heightened language that are well worth pondering.

My favorite quote:
This is a play that revels in theatre and storytelling, viscerally imparting a message about its ritual power to build community and restore humanity through primal arts.
Preach! I also like that he notices the Godot resonances - that's something I've been thinking about a lot the last few runs I've watched.

So, read the full review here, then get your tix (still some $14 tix with the code "FUGHAT" for the 9th and 10th), and then leave your own thoughts on the play here.

Onward to China!
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Audience Response to DOG ACT

Monday, February 7, 2011 13 comments

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Lori E. Parquet, Chris Wight)
This is an open thread for our community of artists and audience to respond to Dog Act. We have tried this for both The Lesser Seductions of History and Jacob's House, and the comments were very insightful. When you see the show, please take a moment to share your thoughts with us in the comments field below.

A few rules of the game: this is a safe space, so while respectful criticism is as welcome as joyful praise, snark and hostility are not. A good rule of thumb is simply to write things you'd feel comfortable saying face to face. While you can choose to post as anonymous, we encourage you to take ownership of your thoughts.

Our sincere thanks, and see you at the theatre! Read the full story

 

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Sonnet For A Short Run, DOG ACT Edition

Sunday, February 6, 2011 0 comments

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Chris Wight. Liz Douglas)
Thanks to everyone who came out and made opening weekend so lovely! As we have done for past shows, we share with you our Sonnet For A Short Run. If it inspires you to not wait and buy tix now, there are $14 tix available with the code "FUGHAT" through Thursday, 2/10.

So you say you're going to see our show-
Thanks! We know the demands on your attention
Are great - TV, films, books, not to mention
Social media - still, you've said you'll go.

But when? Now the matter grows uncertain;
Not this week but for sure the next, until
Next pours itself into your cup and spills
Over, and you rush to miss that last curtain.

Then, ah! the sorrows and regrets! The vows
Of next time; though we know missed plays, like failed leaps,
Like lost love and other games played for keeps
Get no nexts; but get gone by the last bows.

Tomorrow starts before we're ready for today;
But make time for us and we'll stop time with our play.
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Dog Act Photos And Opening Night!

Saturday, February 5, 2011 0 comments

Dog Act opens tonight to a sold our house! After a great rehearsal period and (ongoing) intense tech week, we're thrilled to share this play with you.

First things first: if you haven't already purchased your tickets, you can do so here, and use the code "FUGHAT" for $14 tickets for shows on the 6th, 8th, 9th and 10th.

Now on the pictures! All are courtesy of the ever amazing Isaiah Tanenbaum, and we'll be sharing more of the dress run and tech as we go on.

Zetta tells Dog about China (Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Lori E. Parquet, Chris Wight)
Scavengers! (Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Julian Stetkevych, Zack Robidas)

Zetta shows the scavengers she is a protected vaudevillian (Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Lori E. Parquet)
Dog plays a snake in the Mortality Play. (Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Becky Byers, Chris Wight)

Vera Similitude sings your favorite standard, Weed World. (Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Chris Wight, Liz Douglas, Becky Byers)
Jo-Jo the Baldfaced Liar tells one of the stories in her teeming brain. (Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Becky Byers) Heather Cohn makes Kristy Caldwell's sign design come to vivid life. (Pictured: Heather Cohn)
MVP Tiffany Clementi gives some costume loving to Julian. (Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Julian Stetkevych, Becky Byers, Tiffany Clementi)

So get your tix now, and we'll see you at theatre! Read the full story