Few topics immediately draw attention in the theater; one is the subject of rape. Similar to the Holocaust in terms of severity, it is an issue that requires sensitivity by the makers but is also one that a viewer seems almost forced to be compelled to. That said, I wish Almost Asleep, the latest play by Julie Hebert (whose Ruby's Bucket Of Blood has become a Showtime feature) gave us something more to be compelled by than its subject.
It's one of those plays that you feel bad for not “getting” due to its serious nature. But the truth is, the play lays all its cards out on the table early on and makes it points succinctly, then makes them all over again. Thankfully, the cast (Heather Ann Barclay, Emily Cline, Shauna Lewis, Abigail Rose Solomon and Denise Wilbanks) are all equally affecting, and keep you alert even when Hebert's well-intentioned but fairly pretentious work is leading them astray.
Ended:
November 2000
Country:
USA
State:
New York
City:
New York
Theater Type:
off-off-Broadway
Theater:
45th Street Theater
Theater Address:
354 West 45 Street
Phone:
212-946-1963
Running Time:
75 min
Genre:
Drama
Director:
Jennifer Kagan
Review:
Parental:
adult themes
Cast:
Heather Ann Barclay, Emily Cline, Shauna Lewis.
Critic:
Jason Clark
Date Reviewed:
November 2000
