The Coward
Brian Plocharcyzk. Photo by Johnny Knight.
written by Nick Jones
produced by Stage Left Theatre
August 30 - October 5, 2014
at Theater Wit in Chicago
Scenic Design by Katherine Arfken; Lighting Design by Julian Pike; Costume Design by Aly Renee Amidei; Properties by Jeff Sheilds; Sound Design by Alex Romberg
“Stage Left artistic director Vance Smith’s production joyfully tackles the subjects of masculinity and guns with a dynamo cast, a soundtrack including the Stones and orchestrated Lady Gaga, and blood, sooo much blood.” — Chloe Riley, Chicago Reader
“Stage Left’s cast doesn’t so much bring Jones’ play alive as romp through it with glee, and it’s an absolute joy to behold.” —Peter Thomas Ricci, Chicago Theater Review
“Vance Smith's skilled direction highlights the violent traditions of the time period with pitch-black humor... It’s an effortless blend of high art and camp, with a hint of horror.” — Lauren Whalen, Chicago Theater Beat
“It’s an intensely relevant message, delivered with a campy, sardonic glee by director Vance Smith, who manages to keep the audience laughing amid the ever-widening slaughter.” -- Hugh Iglarsh, New City Stage
“All this provides plenty of chortles, but director Vance Smith and his cast, led by Brian Plocharczyk as the ambivalent Lucidus, aren’t about to let us hide behind the looney-tunes antics, but instead play their archetypes with deadpan solemnity to ensure that the lessons of who embraces violence, who profits therefrom, and who rejects it, are not lost on us.” — Mary Shen Barnidge, Windy City Times
produced by Stage Left Theatre
August 30 - October 5, 2014
at Theater Wit in Chicago
Scenic Design by Katherine Arfken; Lighting Design by Julian Pike; Costume Design by Aly Renee Amidei; Properties by Jeff Sheilds; Sound Design by Alex Romberg
“Stage Left artistic director Vance Smith’s production joyfully tackles the subjects of masculinity and guns with a dynamo cast, a soundtrack including the Stones and orchestrated Lady Gaga, and blood, sooo much blood.” — Chloe Riley, Chicago Reader
“Stage Left’s cast doesn’t so much bring Jones’ play alive as romp through it with glee, and it’s an absolute joy to behold.” —Peter Thomas Ricci, Chicago Theater Review
“Vance Smith's skilled direction highlights the violent traditions of the time period with pitch-black humor... It’s an effortless blend of high art and camp, with a hint of horror.” — Lauren Whalen, Chicago Theater Beat
“It’s an intensely relevant message, delivered with a campy, sardonic glee by director Vance Smith, who manages to keep the audience laughing amid the ever-widening slaughter.” -- Hugh Iglarsh, New City Stage
“All this provides plenty of chortles, but director Vance Smith and his cast, led by Brian Plocharczyk as the ambivalent Lucidus, aren’t about to let us hide behind the looney-tunes antics, but instead play their archetypes with deadpan solemnity to ensure that the lessons of who embraces violence, who profits therefrom, and who rejects it, are not lost on us.” — Mary Shen Barnidge, Windy City Times