Simon McBurney Gears Up Sounds of Amazon Beaming by Irene Nelson We see a man standing on stage in front of us, but through our headphones we actually hear him standing behind us, then to our right, and then to our left. Simon McBurney, still standing onstage, now tells us that he will blow…
Shakespeare Remains All Too Timely by Irene Nelson An ensemble of 13 actors plays Shakespeare’s tragedy of ambition and tyranny with a black wall, three wooden crates, and a handful of props. Rather than a conventional stage, the audience is pressed up against the action, with most of it performed on the floor immediately…
August Wilson Shows Why Black Traditions Matter by Irene Nelson I love a play full of conversation where words flow like poetry, like music. I love a play about regular working people. I love a play alive with fully drawn characters. It is not surprising I had an excellent evening at the African-American Shakespeare…
Shanley’s Indie Lust Breeds Big Screen Brawl by Irene Nelson Director Robert Zimmerman goes full tilt to keep us on board for the ride in “Four Dogs and A Bone” (1993), a funny, bitter thriller with lots of laughs and energy, like a roller coaster ride. The bold opening of this indie film industry…