Ann Starbuck

Dead Dog's Bone is such a great play. The actors are wonderful, with Julia Finch's Virgin Mary adding both a great narrative drive and empathic commentary, and Luke Medina's Dog stealing the show. (It's hard not to really love the dog who is dying. And Luke's understated delivery makes us love him even more.) It's a family drama, with Hailey McAfee, Sean Draper, Gigi Greene, and Conor Murphy all sharing moments of doubt and love and hope - and trying to figure out how we love and lose all at ... full review

Commencing is a great one-act about people connecting, portrayed by two funny comedic actors. Paula Deming and Laura Nargi have great chemistry together. I loved the twists and turns of the play and watching these actresses naviate those moments.... full review

I loved the fresh voices in these 5 one acts - about how we connect to each other - and the rest of the universe. "Spock At Bat" is a great gender-twist on a budding romance with nice nuanced performances; "Whatever Works" explores power & sex & power; if you've ever been late because you were stuck on the 405, "Don't Panic" is something we all relate to living in LA; "Ten Years Left" beautifully explores a mother's debilitating illness; and "Out of Here" is a heartfelt comedic look about other w... full review

The story of falling down the elevator shaft is told so elequently, it seems like a dance! And the other stories she shares of falling, from her father's death to watching the bodies fall off the Twin Towers are captivating. It's always great when you leave the theater and are wanting more. Susan's language, and delivery is part beat poet, part prima ballerina, and always witty. So I say, more Susan Tierney!... full review

Not only are all of the late 70s and early 80s references a treat to re-live, but underneath all that humor is a story I could relate to as a mother who (sometimes) is struggling to keep it all together. I love it when shows take us on a ride, and then sneak up on you. I was laughing one minute and then tears were streaming the next. Thank you for sharing your snacks with us!... full review

50 Shades of Shrew is a great twist on the Shakespeare Classic. The set-up monologue as told to us by a BDSM mistress adds to the language of the play. The gender power stuggle is heightened with the cast of all female players - I especially enjoyed Dawn Alden and Jennifer Albert's (Petruchio & Kate's) exchanges. And such a fun way to see "Taming of the Shrew."... full review