Titus Andronicus Jr.

This is a weird one. The problem, I think, is two competing ideas- the comic notion of children performing Shakespeare's "most violent play," and then their director having a mental breakdown, which is not played for laughs at all. The kids are so good, and present the actual bits from the play so well, I sort of resented the interruptions. The director (credited only as "Mr. Benjamin") is finely acted, but his going mad doesn't really ring true, as the kids continue to act around him, and especially as it is supposed to be opening night in front of a room full of parents who would stop things almost immediately. (The latter, at least, could be easily solved by making it dress rehearsal instead). The play goes from somewhat funny to totall... full review

I was excited to see this show, to see how they had made this particular Shakespearean play appropriate for a Middle School audience. To start with, I want to say that all of the actors did a commendable job, and there were several clever bits of business. I want to say that because nothing else I have to say is positive, and it should be known that that has nothing to do with their performances. Had I been paying closer attention before I decided to see this show, I would have noticed that the play is recommended for ages 16+. Last I checked, the only way a middle school student would be 16+ is if they were held back several years. By the very young countenances of the entirety of the cast, except one, I’m going to wager that they were all ... full review