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Review Sat Feb 04 2012
Review: Time Stands Still
Steppenwolf's 2011-2012 season has been addressing the ways in which war has affected the lives of many in various ways through the theme of Dispatches from the Homefront. The production Time Stands Still, written by Donald Margulies, is one of the stage plays included under this theme.
This production, at first blush, would seem rather uninteresting in that the events that take place in this production are rather non-dramatic. It seems that it is rather a character study of sorts about two people who frequently visit war torn countries and those who love them. The series of events begin with Sarah Goodwin returning home from the hospital following her narrow survival of a bomb blast in Iraq. Upon her return home, her lover, James Dodd (Randall Newsome) and Sarah struggle with the particulars of their relationship following her accident. Her editor, Richard Ehrlich (Francis Guinan) and his new love, Mandy Bloom (Kristina Valada-Viars) are friends of the couple and represent the normal life that James begins to want more than to return to war torn countries.
Sally Murphy, Randall Newsom, Francis Guinan, and Kristina Valada-Viars all did an excellent job of portraying their characters. The supporting staff all did a wonderful job in ensuring the lighting, sound, and overall flow of the production went on without a hitch. In all, this production was very interesting. This production is recommended. It gives insight into the effects of extended exposure to war and conflict to a person's interpersonal relationships.
Time Stands Still will be running through May 13, and tickets range in price from $20 to $78.