The Sound Inside @ PASADENA PLAYHOUSE

(all photos by Mike Palma)

Rob Stevens – Haines His Way

Cameron Watson has directed with pinpoint clarity and permits his actors to live and breathe their dialogue. Brenneman commands the stage from the opening moments to the closing. Her Bella is an enigma that will never really be solved. Keith matches her scene by scene. They truly form a dynamic duo that keeps your interest, desperate to know where playwright Rapp is taking them. Read more…

Terry Morgan – Stage Raw

It is very rare in my experience to see a production of an original work in which the main shortcoming is the acting or direction, but I have seen hundreds (maybe thousands) of shows in which the writing was weak or forgettable. Often these shows roll into town with awards or nominations in tow, which might mean something if you hadn’t seen as many disappointing Tony or Pulitzer award-winning productions as I have. This leads us to the current L.A. premiere of Adam Rapp’s Tony-nominated drama, The Sound Inside, which is receiving a solid production at the Pasadena Playhouse — but unfortunately isn’t an especially memorable play. Read more…