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Articles tagged with: Collette Pollard

‘Goldfish’ at Route 66: As compulsive gambler, Francis Guinan lifts a loser to grace

Jun 30, 2015 – 4:30 pm | 1,216 views
No matter how wretched his luck, Leo (Francis Guinan, right) always has a tormented rationale for son Albert (Alex Stage). (

Review: Leo lives for those bets that feel good. You’d think winning would be the high, but no. When he has placed a bet that feels really good, Leo can breathe. Never mind that his luck is seldom good, or that his college-age son has minded this financially and spiritually broken, irreducible addict since the lad was little more than a child. Such is the starting point of John Kolvenbach’s eloquent, albeit painfully plain-spoken, play “Goldfish,” a sleeper gem of the season in a sparkling production by Route 66 Theatre. ★★★★

‘Isaac’s Eye’ at Writers: In genius’ rarefied realm, Newton’s high-flying boy meets Captain Hooke

Sep 14, 2014 – 1:03 pm | 3,002 views
Young, impetuous Isaace Newton (Jurgen Hooper, left) lashes out at the famed scientist Robert Hooke (Marc Grapey). (Michael Brosilow)

Review: ★★★ As a clinical study of narcissism, even autism, in a budding young genius, Lucas Hnath’s play “Isaac’s Eye,” an imaginary clash between the obscure 25-year-old Isaac Newton and the celebrated British scientist Robert Hooke, is clever and sometimes brilliant theater. But as drama, it comes off at Writers Theatre as, well, a clinical study. ★★★

Visiting the Darwins: ‘In the Garden’ dispenses some homey chat about homo sapiens and God

Apr 28, 2014 – 6:06 pm | 9,820 views
Darwin (Andrew White) shows his children (Caroline Heffernan and John Francis Babbo) the hand-like bones common to various creatures. (Liz Lauren)

Review: Scene upon witty scene, there is much to admire about Sara Gmitter’s elegant and facile new play “In the Garden: A Darwinian Love Story,” which in its world premiere at Lookingglass Theatre offers a kind of evolutionary portrait of the marriage of Charles and Emma Darwin. Floridly festooned in designer Collette Pollard’s literal interlacing of the natural and civilized worlds, “In the Garden” exudes a radiant, if benign charm. ★★

‘The How and the Why’ at TimeLine: Evolution thicker than blood as biologists clash

Feb 17, 2014 – 6:31 pm | 10,716 views
The How And The Why (Lara Goetsch)

Review: Rachel Hardeman is 28 years old and very bright, in fact a budding evolutionary biologist. She’s also a prickly pear who wears her attitude like a badge – or perhaps a protective cape. In Sarah Treem’s fascinating play “The How and the Why,” now on clinical display at TimeLine Theatre, Rachel collides with a blood relative who may owe her a good deal – some explaining for starters – and the thorns fly. ★★★

‘Blood and Gifts’ at TimeLine: Blood-soaked Afghanistan as pawn in U.S.-Russian faceoff

May 11, 2013 – 4:32 pm | 18,982 views
Kareem Bandealy as Abdullah Kahn in Blood and Gifts at TimeLine Theatre credit Lara Goetsch

Review: ★★★★★

‘The Happiest Song Plays Last’ at Goodman: Counterpoint of old guilt and quest for grace

Apr 30, 2013 – 12:07 am | 4,455 views
Armando Riesco is Elliot in Quiara Alegría Hudes’ The Happiest Song Plays Last - Goodman Theatre credit Liz Lauren

Review: ★★★★★

To cut, to shift, perchance to sharpen, Writers’ bold ‘Hamlet’ matches conviction with power

Sep 14, 2012 – 5:07 pm | 9,926 views
Scott Parkinson as Hamlet gazes at the skull of Yorick and contemplates death in Writers’ Theatre production of Hamlet 2012 credit Michael Brosilow

Review: ★★★★★

ATC and About Face hang fresh ‘Rent’ sign on a production of street-level intimacy, energy

May 9, 2012 – 11:10 pm | 11,691 views
Rent Jonathan Larson American Theater Co About Face Theatre 2012 Alex Agard Alan Schmuckler Esteban Andres Cruz Derrick Trumbly credit Michael Brosilow

Musical classic, new again. 4 stars!

‘Fish Men’ at Goodman: When chess hustlers bait their hooks, slippery truth snaps at the line

Apr 17, 2012 – 4:13 pm | 7,336 views
Fish Men feature image Goodman Theatre Cándido Tirado Teatro Vista Mike Cherry Cedric Mays Raúl Castillo credit Dean La Prairie

Con game in the park. 3 stars.