Gentle Passage

How anyone survives a harrowing childhood is sometimes unfathomable, but in Gentle Passage we see the power of healing through storytelling. Actor Gary Rubenstein deftly holds our attention as Joe, a man with Alzheimer's who is unraveling these memories -- and no self-pity for this character. Rachel Boller plays the psychologist who can barely be bothered with the study of Alzheimer's medication she's been assigned, but by the end, the stories have worn away at her armour. Rachel beautifully allows us to see her vulnerability and humanity. Paul Elliot and Ed Joswick's piece cracks open our hearts as well. ... full review

This review just in from LAist Arts and Entertainment writer, Mia Bonadonna Fierce Backbone's production of Gentle Passage portrays the transformation of two juxtaposed characters that become unlikely best friends through a clinical drug trial. Anna is a bitchy, academic researcher working for a pharmaceutical company set to the task of documenting drug efficacy by collecting subject life stories. Joe is a gentle, but straightforward gay man with a horribly tragic past suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Unwittingly overcome by empathy for Joe, Anna morphs into a decent human being that is greatly affected by the premature devastation of Joe's mind. Gentle Passage relentlessly throws horror-schemes at the audience to the point that they a... full review

I went in not knowing what to expect and WHAM! If there is anything you can think of that says "drama" to you, this play has it! Regret, suffering, longing, stifling self-oppresion, fear, lonliness... everything! Rachel is wonderful at opening up the locked personality that is Anna, and Gary is amazing at playing Joe, a loveable but tragic gay man coping with Alzheimer's. A must-see for Fringers and all fans of amazing dramas!! ... full review

RICHARD ADAMS, The World Socialist Website (posted soon) Written by company member Paul Elliott and his husband Ed Boswick, Gentle Passage is an hour-long two-hander featuring Gary Rubenstein and Rachel Boller. Structured as a series of blackout scenes, Gentle Passage tells the story of Joe, an aging gay man who has enrolled in an Alzheimer’s study conducted by Anna, a callously abrasive UCLA research fellow. Anna’s just been dumped from a deep-pocket ADHD study and forced to take on what is clearly a second-tier project backed by a pharmaceutical company that’s testing a new Alzheimer drug. Anna isn’t at all shy about indulging her resentment at having to deal with these “old people” and forced to work out of a small room in the Hollywoo... full review

This show falls just shy of being perhaps the best show I've seen thus far. Writing is great and elevated by the quality of acting on that stage. Gary Rubenstein is nonpareil in his role as Joe, and his story is heartbreaking and amusing all at the same time. He is foiled nicely by Anna (Rachel Boller) who hits all of her different emotional states with almost too much precision. The direction is fresh, starting with a few well placed music cues that later disappear from the tale without explanation. Things verge on heavy-handed briefly towards the end but, with a few tweaks, this would be an award-winning show. And I don't just mean Fringe awards. This play is that good. And I hope it gets more time on the stage than just the brie... full review

No one could make this stuff up. I suspect that it is biographical. A man who suffered immense physical and emotional degradation during his childhood, yet it's told without self-pity or blame. Fine performances by both actors, especially the man, who has the better role. The pace is brisk. If I have a criticism, I felt that the woman's role was a tad underwritten, but I would be at a loss to say how to fix it. Definitely worth seeing.... full review