Mr. Brantley, you should not have revealed the opening moments of the play.
4
just read the review -- glad I hadn't read before seeing the play last night, would have diminished the opening moments effect. and just mentioned same to colleague, suggesting he not read any reviews before seeing. why can't critics leave certain aspects of what happens on stage (or screen) for the audience member to discover for oneself. after experiencing, which to me did have a kind of "wow" effect, I thought, well, that was worth the price of admission. and for the very most part also liked what came after.
6
Are the design trolls happy? The design team is all credited here, although I'm not sure they are happy with "budget-department barrenness".
I myself thought the design choice was a little too bold, but it grew on me.
And although I saw only the second preview, I could see it was a solid production of a great play. Although this is the first in Shepard's American series, to me this is the apotheosis. Buried Child is too consciously steeped in symbolism, and True West a glorified sitcom.
5