Nights at the Algonquin Round Table

Its a love story between a young wanna-be writer and a sweet-natured waitress, set at the hotel where famous journalistic wits gathered to dine publicly in the 1920's. I expected to witness the brilliant repartee of that famous celebrated group of New York City writers, critics, actors, and wits who dined and sparkled at the Algonquin. Sadly, they were depicted as a mean-spirited group who were deliberately cruel to a naive out-of-towner with literary aspirations. ... full review

Came to see some some of my favorite Jazz Age wits exchange barbs, was treated to the turning point in a hero journey for a young writer. All the actors' performances were nuanced but remained sharp, not falling for the lamentable predilection to drop every bit of writing to the lowest common denominator or make the characters blandly "nice"; particularly Alexander Woolcott (played with beautifully acerbic poison by Steve Brock) and Dorothy Parker (appropriately excoriating while still vulnerable) for this feat I tip my hat not only to the actors, but to the director, Dig Wayne and the writer, Steven Vlasak. The costumes and great piano music and Black-Bottom dance tickled my ever-lovin' flapper heart. ... full review

Great comedy at a fun venue! Loved the great performance by lead actor, Christopher Tedrow. His character was very believable and his timing and expressions were spot on. Tedrow's interactions particularly with supporting actresses Erin Jo Harris and Roz Stanley had a very natural flow, which was easy to follow, witty and enjoyable. ... full review

What makes witticisms work is a light, deft touch. Sadly, the actors took a sledgehammer to every one, assuming the audience too slow to notice otherwise. As a result, the pacing was too ponderous.... full review

The first preview clocked in at 100 minutes, not 80, thanks to a late start AND some interminable waits for costume changes which the director should have solved BEFORE the audience arrived! An entertaining anecdote from the 1930s with a supporting cast of famous names and a modest sprinkling of sparkling quips quoted. It all builds, too slowly, to a climactic card game, which goes on and on and on. The show should be shorter, so cut it, judiciously, as well as the hair of all the actors, very noticeably NOT period correct! Surprisingly, the stars turn out to be the only women, two of them---"Dorothy Parker" and a sympathetic waitress who gets to demonstrate The Black Bottom, a ditzy dance of the period!... full review