Might As Well Live: Stories by Dorothy Parker

"Might as Well Live" is a perfect example of what I love to see at the Hollywood Fringe Festival. A wonderfully simple homage to one of the most popular writers of the early 20th century captures a few simple snapshots of life in America while never forcing an over-arching theory of humanity upon its audience. It was a breath of fresh air to see a collection of short stories that almost made the audience feel like a voyeur as we peered into families struggling with separation, commitment, infidelity, and truth. Every actor had a strong understanding of their character and their place in the world, be it in 1942, 1967, or 1997. I highly recommend finding a way to see this strong crop of up and coming talent in Los Angeles, so that you can be ... full review

These 4 playlets, adapted and directed by Adam Scott Weissman from stories by the often cynical Dorothy Parker, show a deeply gentle side of her in the first play ‘The Lovely Leave.’ In fact, this beautifully realized tale of a young wife and her Air Force husband spending only minutes together before he is shipped overseas and into the black hole of World War II is a masterpiece of stagecraft. They look at each other with deep tenderness, even kiss once or twice, but mostly they squabble. Here are two real people (rarely personified in the shows I review) unable to say or do the right things because the underlying misfortune of their lives colors every word they speak. The two actors, Bailey Wilson and Paul Stanko, are perfectly cast and wo... full review

#SkipItLA - I was not a fan of the stories that were chosen, and on the whole I found the female characters to be whiny, vapid and largely lacking in substance. I enjoyed the male characters in the first two stories, but I found little redeeming in the last two pieces. The third piece felt more like an interrupted vignette then a full scene.... full review

Dorothy Parker's voice comes to life in Adam Weissman's theatrical adaptation, "Might as Well Live: Stories by Dorothy Parker." Her sharp tongue and wit are present in each of the four scenes, and the palpable undercurrent of pathos puts on display the bittersweet inconsistencies of being in love. Anyone who has been in love will understand that universal juxtaposition of joy and pain. It's particularly evident in the play's first story, "The Lovely Leave," which features the wonderful new talents, Bailey Wilson and Paul Stanko. It's funny, and it's sad. Most of all, it's an intimate look into the lives of two rich and complex people. The performances from the entire cast are stellar from top to bottom. Look out for Bret VandenBos and ... full review

Wry, full of heart, and well paced, Might as Well Live is exactly why festivals like Fringe should exist. This is not something you will see anywhere else and it must be experienced as a play. In a series of short scenes, we get very human glimpses into the lives of these Parker characters. Each vignette is by turns laugh-out-loud funny, uncomfortably real, and pitch perfect pithy Parker. The overall feel can be a bit jarring or uneven, if only because the audience wants to spend more than an hour getting to know these people and their stories. Great cast, good writing (unless you really don't like Parker), and a spare production that conveys the period through costume and small props without getting carried away.... full review

"Might As Well Live" is a fun and unique little play. I really liked the vignette style. Each vignette was different, fun and moving in it's own way. The structure was a refreshing break from conventional theatrical narratives. The actors did a great job of recreating the time period through their performances without turning into caricatures. The play got the right balance of humor and drama to keep me laughing and caring. Dorothy Parker was a great storyteller with a unique perspective on life. This play successfully translates her vision to the stage. ... full review

We had the best time this afternoon. Thoroughly enjoyed the dialogue and the acting. Your leading ladies are great. Ms. Wilson is so expressive that it becomes an absolute pleasure to watch her face. Thank you.... full review

I love, love, LOVE the concept of this! How wonderful it is to see Dorothy Parker gaining a bigger audience. Adam does a great job of adapting Parker's short stories to stage and I liked the idea of placing them in different eras. I hope there will be more to come. ... full review

I was so excited to learn about Dorothy Parker's work through this adaptation. Right from the start the first vignette grabs you and the play doesn't let go. The actors were paired together in a way that not only did their dialogue set the scene but their physicality with each other complimented the show. The format of the play left you wanting more right as the piece transitioned to a new set of characters. This kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. This was an ambitious undertaking and I am glad I went. Can't wait to see what Adam has up his sleeve next! ... full review

This was my first time experiencing the works of Dorothy Parker in any medium, and I sincerely enjoyed the experience. I thought the first three scenes, "The Lovely Leave" in particular, were solid, engaging stories, and I found myself engrossed the whole time. Unfortunately, I couldn't get into "The Game." I thought the pacing was off, the characters were unlikable and I was very disappointed that such a dramatic scene was ended with a tasteless rim-shot. Overall, a solid show. ... full review