Simpatico

From: "will stackman" profwlll@yahoo.com

Subject: Quicktake - "Simpatico" by Sam Shepard

Date: Fri Feb. 4, 11:09pm

Quicktake on SIMPATICO

     Fans of Sam Shepard who've never seen this American Master's 1994 psychological puzzle may want to catch the last weekend of its run at the
Devenaughn. The play's not Shepard at his best, and indeed worked better as a movie. The scenes and situations, especially the central conflict between Vinnie and Carter, two old friends whose lives have been intertwined since childhood, have a familiar ring to them.

    The show would work better with really strong actors in these parts, but the whole cast of this production is acceptable at best, and generally too young. The women, Susan Gross(Cecilia) and Lisa Caron Driscoll(Rosie), are generally more effective, and Phil Thompson's enigmatic Simms has the right creepiness. Joe O'Connor and Angelo Athanasopoulus as Vinne and Carter have trouble finding effective line readings together in the all-important opening scene but warm to their roles by the end. Director Jeannie-Marie Brown makes interesting use of the limited theatre space to set a variety of scenes, but hasn't helped the cast pull together into an ensemble. Remember to get there early even with reservations.

    The theatre is in the back of the large Piano Factory Building reached from the middle of the parking lot. By T, get off at Mass. Ave. on the Orange Line, walk one block down to Columbus, and one block away from downtown to Bob the Chef's Bistro. Go down the side street by the restaurant half a block to the parking lot. The theatre entrance is below the big air duct going overhead to the large chimney in the middle of the lot.
There are only about 50 seats. Again, get there early.

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"Simpatico" by Sam Shepard, Jan. 26 - Feb. 12

Devanaughn Theatre in the Piano Factory

791 Tremont Rear, 1 (866) 811- 4111 (TM)
Devanaughn Theatre