THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT
www.NYTheatre.com
Review by Jo Ann Rosen Jan 14, 2010
http://www.nytheatre.com/nytheatre/showpage.php?t=last9514
"..a polished revival."
"Rebecca Hengstenberg's direction is crisply paced and designates pauses precisely where you think you need a moment to digest a biblical reference or to acknowledge a clever comeback."
"It is a funny, intelligent drama and a unique evening of entertainment."
www.OffOffLine.com
Reviewed by Michael Bettencourt reviewed January 14, 2010
http://offoffonline.com/reviews.php?id=1709
"The Last Days is a big canvas covered with big ideas, a welcome respite from domesticated pieces about internalized self-struggling or snarling family gatherings."
"...a competent production of Stephen Adly Guirgis' talky but clever The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, the purported narrative of a trial in present-day Purgatory... Director Rebecca Hengstenberg makes excellent use of the odd-angled space of the Richmond Shepard Theatre."
"a welcome respite from domesticated pieces about internalized self-struggling or snarling family gatherings. The questions raised by the play may not get answered in the play, but they linger in the mind as worth considering, as one will no doubt do on the walk home from the theater."
INVADER? I HARDLY KNOW HER!
CurtainUp.com
Reviewed by Kathryn Osenlund, August 25, 2010
"the whole show is really funny, intricate, and enjoyable, with its spot on timing and snappy turns of phrase. There's no pretension of depth here. It's all warp speed wit and, happily, it's completely weightless. Well worth seeing.
"Dozens of well-timed dance and combat scenes follow each other in quick succession..."
TimeOutNY
Reviewed by Adam Fulrath, August 20, 2010
"Light on nerdy references and heavy on loopy fun, this science-fiction musical has a fast-moving charm similar (but superior) to that of last year’s Toxic Avenger. The ridiculous lyrics are performed with such conviction that you can’t help getting pulled into the interdimensional mayhem, and the show’s standout number may make you believe that true love really can conquer all, no matter what obstacles the time-space continuum may throw in its way."
TheatreMania.com
Reviewed by David Finkle, August 20, 2010
"Rebecca Hengstenberg wrests good performances from her young cast."
FP SEEKS VD
www.keepyoureyespeeled.com
Reviewed by Sarah Valeri, August 16th 2011
"I quite enjoyed the play and I was surrounded by both hearty laughs and heavy silences as characters shot in an out of the scenes trying to find some cure or companionship for their vulnerabilities."
www.thedailyactor.com
Reviewed by Chris Mikittrick
"The various sexual dysfunction the play deals with frankly, shockingly, and in most instances with humorous affection, are excellently portrayed by the ensemble cast, most of whom portray multiple characters. "
"It’s likely a combination of Poblete’s script and Rebecca Hengstenberg’s direction that leads to the amiable nature of the entire cast, who all seem to be having so much fun together on stage that it’s impossible for the audience to not catch those positive vibes. "
THE FOURTH ESTATE
Robertaonthearts.com
Reviewed by Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower, August 23, 2010
http://robertaonthearts.com/backstage/idBack166.html
"Rebecca Hengstenberg directed to maximize the poignancy and import of the four scenarios."
"The eight actors were plausible and persuasive, with each vignette seamlessly shuffling to accommodate the next."
GODSPELL
Creightonian Online
Review by Madalyn Kovarik, March 26, 2010
http://creightonian.com/Print.php?IssueTN=014606-02-2010-3806&NewsID=1631
"a fun, modern twist.."
"Godspell is a creative presentation of Christ’s message with bright musical numbers, making it an enjoyable and worthwhile show..."
"The actors seem to blend almost completely with their characters, not only communicating the initial excitement and hopefulness of the first act but also leading the audience into their emotions of despair and fear at the end of the second act."
"The show climaxes in the second act with a brief yet striking representation of Jesus’ passion and death, tying the entire production together with an onslaught of theological meaning and emotion."
www.NYTheatre.com
Review by Jo Ann Rosen Jan 14, 2010
http://www.nytheatre.com/nytheatre/showpage.php?t=last9514
"..a polished revival."
"Rebecca Hengstenberg's direction is crisply paced and designates pauses precisely where you think you need a moment to digest a biblical reference or to acknowledge a clever comeback."
"It is a funny, intelligent drama and a unique evening of entertainment."
www.OffOffLine.com
Reviewed by Michael Bettencourt reviewed January 14, 2010
http://offoffonline.com/reviews.php?id=1709
"The Last Days is a big canvas covered with big ideas, a welcome respite from domesticated pieces about internalized self-struggling or snarling family gatherings."
"...a competent production of Stephen Adly Guirgis' talky but clever The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, the purported narrative of a trial in present-day Purgatory... Director Rebecca Hengstenberg makes excellent use of the odd-angled space of the Richmond Shepard Theatre."
"a welcome respite from domesticated pieces about internalized self-struggling or snarling family gatherings. The questions raised by the play may not get answered in the play, but they linger in the mind as worth considering, as one will no doubt do on the walk home from the theater."
INVADER? I HARDLY KNOW HER!
CurtainUp.com
Reviewed by Kathryn Osenlund, August 25, 2010
"the whole show is really funny, intricate, and enjoyable, with its spot on timing and snappy turns of phrase. There's no pretension of depth here. It's all warp speed wit and, happily, it's completely weightless. Well worth seeing.
"Dozens of well-timed dance and combat scenes follow each other in quick succession..."
TimeOutNY
Reviewed by Adam Fulrath, August 20, 2010
"Light on nerdy references and heavy on loopy fun, this science-fiction musical has a fast-moving charm similar (but superior) to that of last year’s Toxic Avenger. The ridiculous lyrics are performed with such conviction that you can’t help getting pulled into the interdimensional mayhem, and the show’s standout number may make you believe that true love really can conquer all, no matter what obstacles the time-space continuum may throw in its way."
TheatreMania.com
Reviewed by David Finkle, August 20, 2010
"Rebecca Hengstenberg wrests good performances from her young cast."
FP SEEKS VD
www.keepyoureyespeeled.com
Reviewed by Sarah Valeri, August 16th 2011
"I quite enjoyed the play and I was surrounded by both hearty laughs and heavy silences as characters shot in an out of the scenes trying to find some cure or companionship for their vulnerabilities."
www.thedailyactor.com
Reviewed by Chris Mikittrick
"The various sexual dysfunction the play deals with frankly, shockingly, and in most instances with humorous affection, are excellently portrayed by the ensemble cast, most of whom portray multiple characters. "
"It’s likely a combination of Poblete’s script and Rebecca Hengstenberg’s direction that leads to the amiable nature of the entire cast, who all seem to be having so much fun together on stage that it’s impossible for the audience to not catch those positive vibes. "
THE FOURTH ESTATE
Robertaonthearts.com
Reviewed by Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower, August 23, 2010
http://robertaonthearts.com/backstage/idBack166.html
"Rebecca Hengstenberg directed to maximize the poignancy and import of the four scenarios."
"The eight actors were plausible and persuasive, with each vignette seamlessly shuffling to accommodate the next."
GODSPELL
Creightonian Online
Review by Madalyn Kovarik, March 26, 2010
http://creightonian.com/Print.php?IssueTN=014606-02-2010-3806&NewsID=1631
"a fun, modern twist.."
"Godspell is a creative presentation of Christ’s message with bright musical numbers, making it an enjoyable and worthwhile show..."
"The actors seem to blend almost completely with their characters, not only communicating the initial excitement and hopefulness of the first act but also leading the audience into their emotions of despair and fear at the end of the second act."
"The show climaxes in the second act with a brief yet striking representation of Jesus’ passion and death, tying the entire production together with an onslaught of theological meaning and emotion."
