Off-Broadway is rocking this season and all we talk about is Oleanna and Birdie!

[April Saul]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 7:31pm

Okay, in the last couple of weeks, I managed to catch Aftermath, Broke-ology, The Understudy and Circle Mirror Transformation. The first two made me weep, the last two had me laughing my butt off. Any one of these shows was more enjoyable for me than Oleanna, or this season's Hamlet, or Brighton Beach Memoirs...but except for Understudy, which gets picked apart endlessly, I'm thinking nobody here is checking out the other three. And they are just wonderful: Aftermath a chilling portrait of Iraqi civilian suffering; Broke-ology a beautiful portrait of an American family with an amazing performance by Wendell Pierce, and Circle Mirror--about an acting class in a small town--just pure delight. And SO cheap! Sorry, had to get that off my chest...

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 7:42pm

I didn't like Broke-logy (you can search for my review), but it just didn't do anything for me. I thought the brothers were great actors, but the dad just wasn't doing anything for me.

I did saw "Killers and Other Family" and I thought it was great. It's an interesting play, and was beautifully performed by a strong 4 member ensemble. I'd recommend it.

I saw "Lipsynch" at BAM and was blown away! 9 hrs, but I only paid $10, and totally worth it.

And I saw "Still Life," and I really enjoyed it. It veered a little too "Lifetime" for me at the end, but I thought it was interesting and had some good things to say.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 9:49pm

I agree - for good theatre: Off Broadway, Off Off Broadway, Regional ... but rarely Broadway nowadays.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 11:28pm

I am seeing Circle Mirror Transformation soon, but I heard Broke-ology was awful. I am seeing The Understudy on Wednesday.

[April Saul]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 8:53am

Different strokes on Broke-ology, I guess, I was blown away by the acting and actually enjoyed seeing a play about a black family that wasn't by August Wilson and where race didn't even play a huge part. I would love to know what others think of Circle Mirror; for me, it was terrific. Please post and start a thread on it after you come back!