rOcKS @ 'Why Torture is Wrong, And The People Who Love Them'

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/3/09 at 5:24pm

I really, really enjoyed it quite a lot. It's a shame that two of the three best new plays of the year are playing off Broadway (RUINED & TORTURE being the ones playing Off-Broadway and REASONS TO BE PRETTY being the one playing on Broadway) because I'd love to see one or two of these far superior Off-Broadway works take the place of likely Tony nominees 33 VARIATIONS and/or even GOD OF CARNAGE which I found to be more of a showcase for four great performances than anything else.

Durang has crafted a very funny, ridiculous, and oddly touching piece that is by far the most original new play of the year. Some of it's quirks don't work to be fair but Nicholas Martin's sharp direction and a simply perfectly-cast ensemble do a fantastic job of hiding up the (few) quirks that feel a bit too ridiculous almost. SPOILER AHEAD I also wasn't the biggest fan of the last half of the second act (with Felicity going back in time to change the plot) but the final image really struck me and almost made the somewhat awkward journey to that moment worth it. END SPOILER But, I'm harping on the few negatives in Durang's mostly hilarious and absurd text. Durang, love him or hate him, takes bold chances. Sometimes they pay off and sometimes they don't but with TORTURE, they mostly pay off.

The characters are so hysterically funny that I would imagine laughing out loud at most of the things they say if I was reading the text to myself but the seven performers in the show make the already funny material even funnier.

Every performance is simply perfect; what a great ensemble. The two performances that really stuck out to me were Audrie Neenan as Hildegarde (who constantly has her underwear dropping around her ankles) and an epic comedic turn from Kristine Nielsen as Luella. Nielsen steals the show and gives one of the funniest performances I saw on stage this year. Benanti is wonderful as well (and we get to hear her --briefly-- sing!).

In short, go see TORTURE if you can before it closes...I really had a fantastic time. It's not perfect but it's really enjoyable theater with some wonderful performances.

*** out of ****

Updated On: 5/3/09 at 05:24 PM

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 5/3/09 at 7:31pm

Glad you enjoyed it!

But you might want to edit that second paragraph, to give a SPOILER WARNING for anyone who doesn't know the ending.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/3/09 at 7:33pm

Edited

Thanks!