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Review Thu Sep 29 2011
Summer and Smoke at The Den Theatre
Summer and Smoke is a somewhat lesser known play by the great Tennessee Williams. Although it may not have the clout of, say, Streetcar Named Desire, I learned last Friday that it is a phenomenally deep and layered piece which leaves the audience stunned by talent of the two leads, Josh Odor and Eve Rydberg, who star as John and Alma.
The play is emotionally wrought, passionate and deeply expressed through Rydberg and Odor's connection. Both actors have become immersed in their roles: Alma, a woman who never concedes to her passions, and John, a man, who can do anything but. True to form, the greatest loves are the most difficult to get off the ground, and Alma and John spend on hot summer navigating their relationship through highs and lows. It's truly a heartbreaking and deeply emotional bond, which is built effectively through detailed direction and deliberate spatial organization of the set.
The Den, which performs the play through October every Friday night at 8pm, has in the past offered Chicago the gem Bus Stop, which opened to wonderful reviews and left an impressive mark for a freshman performance. In this sophomore attempt, it's clear that this theatre house is going to be a force to reckon with.
Annalena / October 2, 2011 10:49 AM
The show runs every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 3pm until October 29th.