Take the Seventh Breath Twice

A true character study piece with rich personalities, quippy dialogue, excellent set dressing, and costumes. The Sam Shepard "True West" aesthetic and influence is pulled off with precision, with just a tinge of "Pulp Fiction" and "Resevoir Dogs" thrown in for grit. Each actor on stage has standout moments, but Blake Shields Abramovitz steals the show with his hilarious "spiritual healing" quirks and rituals. While dark comedy surrounds the story, the existential themes and well-developed character arcs keep everything grounded and authentic. Some wonderful tableaux appear, and, when coupled with focused, intentional blocking they pull off gorgeous imagery. Especially when actors hit specific key lights, along with the use of hei... full review

Well acted, intriguing and adeptly worked the fine line between deep introspective moments and comic relief. Really, really enjoyable!... full review

Polished, funny, great script, seasoned, acting was top notch!... full review

Blake Shields is at his best with "Take the Seventh Breath Twice" — a traditionally esoteric and lyrical writer, this play infuses complex characters and high stakes with levity, making for a fast-moving, highly entertaining evening of theater!... full review

Here lies a Molotov cocktail of the visceral and spiritual.. A hard-hitting, tumultuous, spine slapping, and lavishly poetic genetic mutation of Quentin Tarantino, Sam Shepherd, and Alistair Crowley. At its best, the Hollywood Fringe Festival gives us a first peak at cutting edge work that by comparison with less inspired dreck, howls into our audience’s faces the creative promise of our dwindling community’s all-too-neglected potential. Then along comes TAKE THE SEVENTH BREATH TWICE, the third Fringe entry by Blake Ambrovitz, and you’ll realize that this is Fringe ensemble drama at its finest. what a devilishly unglamorous and yet sexy batch of players the riveting Cathryne Dylan Oritz, the rapid fire siren, Sam Valentine, the simmering sea... full review

Rock and Roll crime dramedy - my favorite kind. ... full review

Electric atmosphere. Dazzling dialog. Palpable chemistry. This show is dangerous. ... full review

Take the Seventh Breath Twice is a show that bares its teeth. Playwright Blake Shields establishes tension from the first scene and doesn't release you until lights out.... full review

My overall impression of the show was how thoughtfully the scenes were chosen. We got back story, character complexity, and complex human dynamics all in such a short window. It was gritty, yet relatable, and not gratuitously intense in the way that implied violence and criminal activity often is in the media.... full review

Where do I even start with this gem of a production? From the moment we walked in and saw the set design I knew we were in for a treat and man did this show deliver. Tightly written dialogue that had me cracking up and drove the show at a great pace. Performances that were dropped in, powerful, larger than life, and outright hysterical. Not to say “I laughed I cried it was everything” but … yeah, that. Outstanding dynamic direction really brings this thing to life. I’m still amazed at how such a quick show was able to show us so many different relationships that felt lived in and real. The stand out scene for me is the one between the two women of the cast and how we see it mirrored in the show’s final moments. That for me was deeply moving.... full review