Revolutionary Love

REVOLUTIONARY LOVE (Gold Medal) This celebration of the life and work of Turkish poet and social activist Nazim Hikmet (Ryson Allman) is structured as an operetta of poetry. Director Fulya Diner expressed this was a labor of love, and that truth is proven by the stunningly beautiful staging of the show. Elif Savas fulfills a trio of functions, as Hikmet’s wife, as his muse and as the country he so loved despite his imprisonment in it and eventual banishment from it. This is a visually breathtaking production, and even if it weren’t, Allman’s soaring portrayal of the poet Hikmet alone would be reason enough to see it. For more of my reviews of the Hollywood Fringe go to: The TVolution.com ... full review

#ChanceItLA - The script of this show is taken entirely rom the written work of poet Nazim Hikmet, and those words are at times beautiful and stirring. However, as no context or back story is provided, I was unable to fully engage or sympathize with Hikmet. Before this production I had never head the name Nazim Hikmet and therefore had no idea what ideals he fought for of even the climate and turbulence of his home country that he was up against. this show succeeds in painting the plight of this man, but fails to establish why the audience should be concerned for his plight. If you're going to chance this one, do some research before going in.... full review