I don't usually go to see much theatre but I saw The Kill Floor on the recommendation of a friend. An interesting and creative show. I need more theatre recommendations of this kind. Anyone?
Strong character driven drama, with a great performance by Ms. Ireland, who
fluctuates between rage and vulnerability. I most enjoyed the scenes of her with her boss and later with her son. What didn't work for me, as it felt contrived, was the son's sexual relationship with his wanna be rapper friend.That relationship was about acceptance and the sex felt unearned and over the top, as opposed to the sex scene with Andy and her boss, which was the consequence of a well developed relationship.
What also felt unmotivated and uneccessary was the woman Andy meets and tried to develop a friendship with. Their obvious differences in class make it seem unlikely they would ever connect and in fact don't.
Andy and her demons, buttressed by Ms. Ireland carry the show. The writing could use some editing.
In the end Marsha Norman wrote a far more powerful play with the same theme, and central female lead- ex con named Arlie, called Getting Straight'.
fluctuates between rage and vulnerability. I most enjoyed the scenes of her with her boss and later with her son. What didn't work for me, as it felt contrived, was the son's sexual relationship with his wanna be rapper friend.That relationship was about acceptance and the sex felt unearned and over the top, as opposed to the sex scene with Andy and her boss, which was the consequence of a well developed relationship.
What also felt unmotivated and uneccessary was the woman Andy meets and tried to develop a friendship with. Their obvious differences in class make it seem unlikely they would ever connect and in fact don't.
Andy and her demons, buttressed by Ms. Ireland carry the show. The writing could use some editing.
In the end Marsha Norman wrote a far more powerful play with the same theme, and central female lead- ex con named Arlie, called Getting Straight'.
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And to credit the artists whose work is featured in the Times' photograph:
Daniel Zimmerman - Sets
Jessica Pabst - Costumes
Ben Stanton - Lighting
Brandon Wolcott - Sound
Daniel Zimmerman - Sets
Jessica Pabst - Costumes
Ben Stanton - Lighting
Brandon Wolcott - Sound
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Strong performance. Strong writing. Really liked this show. Recommended.
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On "Kill Floor," a play by Abe Koogler, and directed by Lila Neugebauer, reviewed by Charles Isherwood.
Not enough meat in the play. To explain, my criticism of the play is that Abe Koogler doesn't introduce enough relevant themes and ideas into the plot of his play, which has the potential to be a more powerful work. For instance, B, Andy's son, could be an advocate of nonviolence; one of his reasons for not getting closer to his mother could be his disapproval of his mother's job of slaughtering cows. He could also be shown as vehemently opposed of Ricky's plan of bartering promotion for Andy for sex. (He has overheard Ricky's telling somebody that he has no intention of leaving his wife for Andy.) Andy herself should grow through the play into someone with convictions of her own. Show her as acquiring empathy with B's philosophy of non-violence, and, deciding to look for another job in a prisoner-counseling program. Koogler can show the mother and son as moving closer to each other, with Andy's going easy on her opposition to gay love.
I recommend changes in "Kill Floor" for two reasons: To encourage the playwright to revise his work filling out gaping gaps in it, and to let the audience to witness on the stage characters who think about what they are doing and interact meaningfully with others, including family members. My excuse: I have taught courses in dramatic writing.
Not enough meat in the play. To explain, my criticism of the play is that Abe Koogler doesn't introduce enough relevant themes and ideas into the plot of his play, which has the potential to be a more powerful work. For instance, B, Andy's son, could be an advocate of nonviolence; one of his reasons for not getting closer to his mother could be his disapproval of his mother's job of slaughtering cows. He could also be shown as vehemently opposed of Ricky's plan of bartering promotion for Andy for sex. (He has overheard Ricky's telling somebody that he has no intention of leaving his wife for Andy.) Andy herself should grow through the play into someone with convictions of her own. Show her as acquiring empathy with B's philosophy of non-violence, and, deciding to look for another job in a prisoner-counseling program. Koogler can show the mother and son as moving closer to each other, with Andy's going easy on her opposition to gay love.
I recommend changes in "Kill Floor" for two reasons: To encourage the playwright to revise his work filling out gaping gaps in it, and to let the audience to witness on the stage characters who think about what they are doing and interact meaningfully with others, including family members. My excuse: I have taught courses in dramatic writing.
Re Mark's comment, nothing could be further from the truth. The play was brilliant and Mr Koogler's writing extremely impressive. I hope to see more from him!
2
I thought it was a violent, ugly, meanspirited, depressing mess. I felt awful for the actors. Hopefully, Mr. Koogler will give up writing.
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Four of us attended, We see most of the LCT3 plays: some are terrific, some not so much. This is in the latter category, unfortunately, but for Nicholas L. Ashe ('B') who was excellent. Three major themes were not fully developed: mother/son relationship, teen age sexual uncertainty, workplace harassment. Actually, the teen age boys relationship was the most compelling, but like the rest of the play, underwritten.
Daniel Zimmerman - Sets
Jessica Pabst - Costumes
Ben Stanton - Lighting
Brandon Wolcott - Sound
Jessica Pabst - Costumes
Ben Stanton - Lighting
Brandon Wolcott - Sound
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