Posts by Martin Jones Westlin
The Joke’s on Well-Intentioned ion in a Misdirected ‘Jesus Hates Me’
Somebody in rural west Texas thinks somebody Else has it in for him, which is funny enough by itself — but ion theatre company’s take on its current “Jesus Hates Me” sacrifices the script’s rich humor and unsuccessfully tries to put a guilt trip in its place.
Read MoreNo Good Deed Goes Unpunished in NCR’s Nice ‘Way Downriver’
The nobler the deed, the bigger the recrimination — at least it seems that way sometimes, and inmate Aikins would be the first to tell you. Even as he seeks to turn the corner, he’s the subject of an unhappy ending in North Coast Repertory Theatre’s very nice ‘Way Downriver; William Faulkner’s Old Man.’
Read MoreIt’s the Thought That Counts in NVA’s Adorable ‘Big River’
If Mark Twain can predict the day of his death (which he did), he can certainly make his case for earthly friendship. New Village Arts appears to concur, as it’s staged an adorable Twain-inspired “Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.’
Read MoreFor Better or Worse (Mostly Better), Style Beats Substance in Outstanding ‘Rain’
We’re 46 years out from the break-up of the Beatles, and that’s long enough for the legend(s) to settle. Accordingly, Broadway/San Diego’s ‘Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles’ maybe doesn’t defer enough to the boys’ personal history — but man, can this group play!
Read MoreWhy Wait? fruitlessmoon Does Justice to Beckett’s Watershed
Life is a pretty empty proposition when you’re hoping against hope, especially while eating a carrot. fruitlessmoon theatreworks’ very good ‘Waiting for Godot’ bears this out once and for all amid an adroit use of playwright Samuel Beckett’s stock in trade — language.
Read MoreCygnet’s ‘Rocky Horror Show’: Brilliance Can Come from Anywhere
One man’s rough is maybe another man’s diamond — performance art history is full of shows and artists that under other circumstances would never have seen the light of day. ‘Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show’ is one of those items that happened along by chance — and Cygnet Theatre Company has exploited this brilliant production for all it’s worth.
Read More