Heidi Powers

The is a robust production of a new play that hangs its beautiful but painful memories upon the structure of a courtroom drama. The gifted performers give focused performances that reflect the horror of Mercer's story, a well-woven tapestry of the traumas that occur when families cover up tragedy instead of acting upon it or communicating. It's a warning to distrust blind faith and rely instead on what we see. And what we see is lovely - the chemistry (bonds both positive and negative) betwee... full review

I wasn't shocked by the 'brave' nudity that many reviewers have lauded. Truth be told, I was kind of bored. Because beyond the physicality of the piece - which was compelling to me only when no words were uttered - I was left cold. The core problem is de Sade's text, or perhaps this translation of it. I am led to understand that his work intended to illustrate the politics of class and sexuality. Unfortunately, I did not see much of that in this production, which seemed to play up the titillation... full review

Winsome and winning Rati Gupta has assembled a terrific series of coming-of-age stories that will hit a nerve - not just with anyone who loves cheesy 90s teen movies, but with anyone who ever navigated the obstacle field that is high school. Especially stand-out are her interstitial videos, which so expertly capture and send-up the look and feel of the movies that inspire the character of teenaged Rati (as well as Gupta the writer/performer.) The show is incredibly likable, even when her t... full review

Fancy is seriously campy and hilariously soulful. Farah's writing - and her performance as a hooker with a heart of gold, a voice of silver and balls of brass - threw me for a loop and kept me rapt in theatrical rapture for a solid hour. I promptly tried to tell everyone who would listen that this incredibly entertaining solo show is very, very much worth seeing. (When, in fact, I should have been telling them to see my show. That's how much I liked Fancy.) Do your ass a favor and see this show, ... full review

Complex, smart and unexpectedly wry, "Cleaner Than Blood" is a tense neo-noir drama that captured my attention for all of its sixty minutes. Jen Silverman's layered and surprising script brings together characters that are far more than they first appear. Alex Scott draws them together and apart like a rubber band in alternation, with tension building until you're not sure if that rubber will contract or snap. Strong performances all around, chemistry in spades, and affecting scene work that w... full review

As a fan of the real-life backlash to the real-life product detailed in this play, I was excited to see what the Crooked Heart team would do in its exploration of "Bic For Her." The four characters at the imagined focus group for this pen had thoughts and reactions that resonated with my own. and I was pleased to see a trans woman included among the four, as I hadn't considered that perspective before. Writer Alyson Mead topic was handled thoughtfully, with solid performances of overlappi... full review

What starts out as a seemingly disconnected series of monologues evolves into a deftly-woven tapestry of music, religion and brothers from another mother (or, sometimes, what feels like another planet.) Alex Knox's solo show highlights unusual connections. Although I share none of them (no familiarity with Knox or his friend Josh, no Jewish family ties, nor a long-standing fondness for Steely Dan) I found myself unexpectedly drawn to all three, with Knox's storytelling continually pulling me ... full review

This smart piece features some of my favorite dialogue and scene work at the Hollywood Fringe this far, especially in "Post-Fabulous" and "Leftovers." Dan Johnson's insights to the human experience through his characters in these pieces are crystal-clear, and I would love to see more of them in long-form productions. I was very impressed with the production values - how often do you get to see a coffin at Fringe?! Direction was solid and transitions swift considering the amount of set in use.... full review

A charming ensemble piece about the power of connection. I was surprised that with all the jokes about literal language and references to Michael's unclear perception of others' emotions, there was no mention of the autism spectrum. It may not have intentionally presented a child with Aspergers, but so many of Michael's quirks reminded me of the spectrum kids in my life. The cast's energy bubbled, and the script made me chuckle (and I'm not always a chuckler) but the overall arc - was it in c... full review

Lisa Cole's stage presence is so warm and energetic. And as the play progresses, it becomes clear that her self-described "perky" energy comes from a deep well of pain belied by her bubbly personality. This depth and heartbreak tumbles out in surprising - and surprisingly effective ways during "If You're Watching This, I'm Dead." Just when you think it's going in a funny direction, there's a sharp twist, a perfectly-placed word or phrase that sends you reeling. And just when it's the darkest, the... full review