Review: RELATIVELY SPEAKING at Theatre Conspiracy

People talk a lot.

Well, let's correct that. We speak a lot. Talking implies a conversation.

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We rarely talk, unless we talk at each other. We never listen. But what happens when communication fails? Theatre Conspiracy explores that in a charming troika of one-acts titled "Relatively Speaking." 

A trio of kosher tchotkes examining the human condition from Ethan Coen, Elaine May and Woody Allen, the plays drill mankind's inability to both communicate and appreciate. What are we saying? What aren't we hearing? And why can't we all just get along?

Assembling a large cast in the heart of season, be it amateur or professional, poses certain difficulties. "Relatively Speaking" needs near-perfect casting and chemistry to make its mix-and-match message about the frailties of human interaction work. I'm not sure Koch ever found what she was hoping for, although the show certainly delivers on its comedy and gets its message across. Still, for a play from Jewish writers, "Relatively Speaking" feels … relatively gentile?

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"Relatively Speaking" plays at 8 p.m. Jan. 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24 & 25 with one 2 p.m. matinée on Sunday, Jan. 29. Tickets are $20 with various specials. For more information, call 239-936-3239 or theatreconspiracy.org.

Stella Ruiz and Scott Thomson in Woody Allen's
"Honeymoon Hotel," the third part of
"Relatively Speaking."

"What did the waiter say to the table full of Jewish mothers?"

(beat)

"Is anything okay?"

Reviews: BECKY SHAW at Theatre Conspiracy (3)

Demis Crudeli / kanaglia.altervista.org

Becky Shaw - the character - is a hot mess. One blind date and the girl doesn't know whether to walk into a hospital or a police station. No friends, no family, no money. Dropped out of Brown. No car. Becky Shaw has one thing. Wits And she knows how to use them. 

"Becky Shaw" takes five people and asks this: Every person has their own truth. What happens when the truths diverge? Equity actress Kim Crow and Tera Nicole Miller deliver standout turns.  Interesting, fascinating and worth a look - but the show often feels listless and lacks a critical energy. 

Tickets are $20. Anyone under 30 can get their ticket for just $10, Thursday performances are “buy one get one half off” and Opening Night is “pay what you will.” Call 239-936-3239 or theatreconspiracy.org.

Read the full review:
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/nov/25/review-theatre-conspiracy-becky-shaw-tickets/

OTHER CRITICS:

Charles Runnells (The News-Press)
Theatre Conspiracy's 'Becky Shaw' features one bachelor, one bad date
As far as matchmaking goes, this one seems destined to fail. The sarcastic, mean-spirited Max Garrett relishes the role of the jerk and gladly barrels through a new girlfriend every three months. So he’s bound to roll right over the fragile, needy Becky Shaw. But there’s more to both characters than meets the eye in Theatre Conspiracy’s new comedy, “Becky Shaw.” (read the full review)


Nancy Stetson (Florida Weekly)
No love connection in a blind date with ‘Becky Shaw’
“Becky Shaw” is one strange play. Toward the end of the second act, when Suzanna (Denise Scott) moans, “I’m so confused,” I thought: “Me too, sister!” Theatre Conspiracy, where “Becky Shaw” is playing through Dec. 15, is known for putting on offbeat fare. But this production doesn’t seem offbeat as much as off-rhythm. The dialogue moved forward in a herkyjerky manner. Throughout the show, something just felt off. The pieces were there, but they weren’t fitting together. I kept trying to decide if it was the production, the pacing or the play itself — or a combination of the three. (read the full review)

Opening: BECKY SHAW at Theatre Conspiracy

"Becky" opens tonight at Theatre Conspiracy. The cast includes Kim Crowe, Mike Breen, Denise Scott, Christopher Brent and Tera Nicole Miller. It is a story about a blind date gone VERY, VERY bad.

When Suzanna decides to set her best friend Max up on a blind date with her husband's mysterious co-worker, Becky Shaw, she sets into motion a series of cataclysmic events forever changing all of their lives. Mixing sharp wit and humor with the taut suspense of a psychological thriller, Becky Shaw is a comedy of romantic errors that keeps audiences at the edge of their seats guessing what will happen next.

Tickets are $20. Call 239-936-3239 or theatreconspiracy.org. Anyone under 30 can get their ticket for just $10, Thursday performances are “buy one get one half off” and Opening Night is “pay what you will.”

Complete press release below.

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Read the preview: "All My Raisins in the Son" at Theatre Conspiracy"

Post by Chris Silk.

Theatre Conspiracy celebrates 20 years; season opens with "All My Raisins in the Sun"

Theatre Conspiracy turns 20! Or as Bill says "we're almost old enough to drink!"

The 20th anniversary season begins Oct. 18 with the word premiere production of John Twomey's "All My Raisins in the Sun," the winner of Theatre Conspiracy's 15th Annual New Play Contest. Find out what happens inside one high school teacher's lounge - at one school where the teachers are just as bad as the students!

One eager new teacher gets quite the education when confronted with the quirky personalities and deadly serious politics of the public high school teacher's lounge.

Individual tickets are $20 each. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8PM with one Sunday matinée at 2 p.m. Oct. 27. Opening night is “pay what you will” and Thursdays are “buy one get one half off”. Tickets can be purchased by calling Theatre Conspiracy’s box office at 239-936-3239 or by visiting www.theatreconspiracy.org.

Theatre Conspiracy showcases work from six local playwrights through Oct. 6

Theatre Conspiracy continues its deep commitment to local playwrights with six one-night-only staged readings beginning Sept 26 and running through Oct. 6.

Tickets for all shows are $5. Available online at theatreconspiracy.org or at the door.

Here's the schedule:

8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26: "The Kepler Complex," by John Repa
8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27: "The Pembridge Provocation," by Louise Wigglesworth
8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28: "The Inquisition," by Bob Hilliard
8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 3: "A Letter from Miss Kitty," by Wally Kain
8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 4: "The Boardroom," by Stephen Hooper
2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 6" "By The Sea: Three One-Acts," by Fay Ellen Graetz

Theatre Conspiracy celebrates 20th anniversary season, announces subscription discounts

Theatre Conspiracy celebrates its 20th season this year. Bill Taylor - one of my favorite people - deserves a tremendous round of applause for the work he's done. One of my favorite shows - of all time - right up there with Gulfshore's "Earnest," is the TC production of "Bad Dates," the show that made me fall in love with Lauren Drexler.

Buy some tickets.

He's even made it easy for you - and there are discounts. I know ya'll love discounts. Plus he gives me 1,894 words about the season, the plays, the playwrights and all that jazz.

One of this season's can't-miss shows is going to be "The Whale," the story of a 600-pound man, which will star Mr. Bill himself. I'm also looking forward to the New Play Contest winner "All My Raisins in the Son," "Becky Shaw" and "The Beauty Queen of Leenane."

To celebrate the 20th anniversary season Theatre Conspiracy is discounting its regular season subscription price by more than 20 percent. You can get 5 shows for $72 or 4 shows for $60. Individual tickets are $20 each. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturdays at 8 p.m. with one Sunday matinée for each show at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by calling Theatre Conspiracy’s box office at 239-936-3239 or by visiting www.theatreconspiracy.org.

Tell Bill I sent you! Or not.

Complete press release below.