Dobama
January 24-February 23, 2014
216-932-3396 or dobama.org
Bob Abelman
The take-away from this tender character study, besides
the master class in naturalistic performance and design, is a greater compassion for the
aliens among us and a newfound ability to see those we easily dismiss as
invisible.
To see a full review of this show, read Bob Abelman's article here.
Roy Berko
In spite of the quality of writing and superb production, THE ALIENS is not a play for everyone. As the play's director Nathan Motta said in his pre-curtain talk, "experiencing this play takes work." It is not exciting. There is only one incident of high drama. The laughs are few. (It was interesting that on opening night, the only emotional reactions came from a scattering of Generation Z’ers.) If you attend, let the play simmer in your head and see what emerges. It’s worth the effort.
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.
Tom Fulton
The Aliens, a play by OBIE-Award winning playwright Annie Baker, and Dobama's latest offering of contemporary fare, dignifies these discussions by giving them to these lonely explorers of the universe. There are no Carl Sagans in this group; rather, there are three gritty pathfinders searching for meaning in the universe. What emerges is an intelligent and tender production." -
To see a full review of this show, read review at Cleveland Scene
Mark Horning
THE ALIENS is a play that you watch for what it does not have. There is scant action, long periods of seemingly inactivity and a thin thread of plot. It is only through careful observation that you discover the genius of this minimalist work. It is a play that you must work at to understand, but your efforts will be generously rewarded. See this one.
Andrea Simakis
As darkness falls, KJ dances a Pan's ballet with the sizzling stick, sparks flying, leaving tracers in the air. The big man is awkward and yet light on his feet, and it's a mesmerizing and beautiful passage, cut short when the sparkler begins to sputter and then go out. That dying of the light presages a calamity when this trio of misfits is rocked by unexpected tragedy, the suddenness of the event like a sharp intake of breath. With it, everything changes, and the playwright leaves Beckett behind to create a moving, meaningful work all her own."
To see a full review of this show, read Andrea Simakis' blog or visit Cleveland.com here.
