Richard Lucas

As an actor, and with the requisite vanity which that calling demands, I sometimes forget that all of theatre history did not begin with my very first portrayal of Ratso Rizzo in a Wednesday night acting class at the old Hollywood Court Theatre. Then lo and behold School of Night comes along with another top-to-bottom incredible production in the classic Roman style, authentic down to the masks and claves, with an original translation of Lucias Annaeus Seneca’s Hercules Insane. Bold, confident, a... full review

There’s a moment during an argument between Lily and Adam, the couple around which the play is written, when Adam insists on finally using the word “miscarriage.” It’s hurtful because that matter-of-fact term doesn’t suffice for the impact the experience inflicts on expectant mothers and partners dealing with the loss. Our language has failed us here. And it is that negative space that playwright Melanie Holmes wants to fill - if there isn’t a word yet, then maybe there’s a conversation. Bravo to... full review

Marilyn Monroe: The Last Interview offers much more than the title might indicate, that being perhaps something along the line of final thoughts or stories confined to the late era of Monroe’s all-too-brief career and life. But the interview is merely the open window for Mullis to walk the audience through Monroe’s background all the way to childhood and early work through to her untimely death in a marvelously interwoven and researched piece of writing. I mention the writing first because Mullis... full review

I always enjoy Steve Benaquist’s work because there’s so much smart behind the silly, and The Last One-man Show (Literally) is another great piece of work that is remarkably fun because of it as he weaves through characters both in his mind and in the materials left for him in a nuclear bunker, which goes from a volunteer-tester weekend to a minimum 17 years as half-lives are estimated upon the onset an incalculably inconvenient worldwide nuclear war. Every single character is smoothly delivered ... full review

Very fun ride giving a peek back to the 20s where the famed and funny hung out to eat, drink, and slice one another like a salami in a never-ending battle of wits. Wonderfully written piece by Steven Vlasak in which he’s able to weave a story of a young writer hoping to get discovered by the group with the actual wit of the real-life personas and then blended with his own. Three Clubs is a great setting for this play as the action takes place in the private area of a restaurant at a grand hotel -... full review

Loved this show! Sofie Khan is an exuberant ball of energy who zips through stories of her life in America as bi-cultural and bi-sexual. She is an extremely engaging storyteller whose show brings us both funny and heart wrenching stories that can serve as an awakening for us all - that no matter how open minded we think we are, there are miles and miles to go. You should go the miles to see her show! Highly recommended. Go! ... full review

The Harmony Boys will crack you up! Beyond a great musical/comedy piece, these guys can actually sing their twisted, yet wonderfully composed, holiday numbers beautifully. Plus they had a four piece band on stage that was so smooth I’d forgotten they were even there halfway through the show. Great writing and hilarious characters carry this show so briskly and smoothly, it just flies by. The humor will make you laugh and feel terribly uncomfortable at the same time, as it puts a window up to a mi... full review

Should be called INGERSOLL ROCKS! My goodness I enjoyed this show. A beautiful and inspiring solo piece about an American patriot and thinker who’s been virtually ignored by history, yet whose words and advice on saving our democracy are powerful and necessary even today. So well performed by Ernest Kearney. Thank you for bringing it to Fringe in such a time of need! Kearney manages to give the 19th century “great traveling orator” feeling/presence, yet made it 100% conversational, so I was able ... full review

Definition of Man is a gorgeous, thoughtful and provocative piece that stayed with me for days. XX (Nicki Muller) and XY (Jason Rosario) are the last two people on earth, and yet, even as they need one another to survive, they struggle to communicate as their relationship grows distant from the blooming love it’d once enjoyed. This philosophical gem, developed by both actors and written by Muller, uses language(s), movement, music, and even great silence to explore the existential crises not just... full review

Engrossing performances in a brilliantly written two-character play about the ethos, origins, and inspirations behind what makes a hero. Beautifully directed with a clarity and simplicity that uses more body language than blocking to manifest the struggles both characters have as their inner layers are uncovered. Ronn Johnstone and Veronica Wiley are great together as patient and therapist as Johnstone’s “Allyn” reveals that he’s read the opening chapters of Mattie’s PhD thesis on the “hero” and ... full review