News Ticker

The Piano Lesson

The Blood Quilt

December 2, 2024

Katori Halls’ "The Blood Quilt" is fine as a family drama about warring sisters who both love and resent the mother who has just died. However, as a story of secrets and revelations it takes a little too long to get where it is going. It could use more incidents and exposés to warrant its length which seems padded. Don’t blame the fine actresses who seem to be living their several roles. [more]

The Piano Lesson

November 14, 2022

LaTanya Richardson Jackson (Samuel L. Jackson’s wife) has directed in a desultory fashion.  Long, revealing monologues, the backbone of this particular play, are delivered directly to the audience rather than to the other characters, making them more speeches than important character revelations.  She also chose to overdo the ending, which includes an ill-advised exorcism and won’t be ruined here. [more]