Five Days of Theater

Last month, I took in five shows in a six day period. In order of preference, here they are:

The School For Lies
It took me a moment to warm up to this hilarious, well-done production. Once warmed up however, I was lost in this David Ives adaptation of Moliere's The Misanthrope. The production was great to watch and even more glorious to listen to. At the talk back after the performance, a gentleman in the audience declared that he has been a member of the Classic Stage Company for 25 years and The School for Lies was the only production that he saw twice. Overall, this production made me happy to discover the Classic Stage Company.
 

Cradle and All
I liked this production about having children and was disappointed that the critics were mixed on it. I thought that the production and staging were clever, and the acting well-done. I was very entertained by this relevant production and the issues it explored about deciding to have child and then the effect of having a child on a couple's intimacy.

Through A Glass Darkly
Ms. Carey Mulligan (who I first noticed in the film An Education) is very good in the production. In fact, with the exception of perhaps the father played by Chris Sarandon, the cast is pretty good. I also thought that the staging was excellent. I really felt that we were transported to an old seaside house somewhere in Sweden. 

My only issue with this production is that Karin's descent is too rapid. I personally have not dealt with mental illness; therefore, my notions that a person's unraveling is a more gradual process might be misconceived. However, I would have like to see this play longer.

I've never seen the Ingmar Bergman film from which this 90 minute play was adapted. However, after seeing the Atlantic Theater Company's production, I've reserved it at my local library to see if I continue to feel the same way after the film 

Manipulation
When I read the description of this play, I had very high hopes. This play, which is set in Mexico City, delves into the manipulation of a woman by a series of men in her life and whether she will regain control of her life. Mihaela Mihut who plays the attractive Cristina puts a lot of effort into her role, but in the end this production simply lacked energy and falls flat - my high hopes gone.

Desperate Writers
A play that takes place in Hollywood. I should have known. However, I had some hope after seeing that Maddie Corman from Next Fall was in the play and was curious about Pauletta Washington's performance after seeing her in Love, Loss, and What I Wore. However, the plot was inane, and I could not wait for this sitcom like production to come to an end.

So, some hits and some misses in my five days of theater, but hey, that happens on the New York City stage.