Lovell Estell III — Stage Raw
The legendary Vince Lombardi once declared that, “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.” (Actually the slogan was first voiced by UCLA Bruins football coach Henry Russell “Red” Sanders in 1950; Lombardi probably got it from him). It has now become a venerated mantra, a toxic call to action willingly embraced by far too many people who just can’t tolerate the possibility of losing. “Americans love a winner, and will not tolerate a loser,” says George C. Scott in the opening scene of Patton. The attitude may have its virtues, but what is the toll — moral, psychological and spiritual — for adapting this hyper-competitive, win-at-all-cost mindset?
In his Obie Award winning play, now in its Southern California premiere, Lucas Hnath concisely explores the issue via the familiar backdrop of competitive sports.
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Rob Stevens – Haines His Way
Director Joe Banno’s direction never eases up through the 90-minute intermission-less play which contains multiple scenes. The action never flags and the right-on dialogue flows easily from Banno’s talented quartet of actors.
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Frances Baum Nicholson – The Daily Breeze
Playwright Lucas Hnath has built some of his considerable reputation on positing ethical puzzles — tracing a single choice or event to the ramifications for others who must then also make choices, done while never signaling a single “rightness.” Read more…
Now running through July 1