New Reviews: Poetry & Drama

James Baldwin's three-act play focuses on the power of religion to shield people from the perils outside church walls, as dramatized by an African American family. The cast are quirky, protective, gossipy, dogmatic, and spirited. Dion Graham begins the production as Baldwin, clearly and confidently sharing the importance of this story. A chorale then swells--warm, collective,... Read More

In this penetrating audio adaptation of Ken Narasaki's 2008 play, an 80-year-old WWII veteran suffers a stroke and lies in bed unable to speak. Showcasing a fine cast of Japanese American voice actors, the story shifts seamlessly from the man's memories of the battlefield to a desolate, wind-beaten internment camp where, years earlier, two teens, portrayed by John Miyasaki and... Read More

By the waning months of WWI, English troops remained dug in 100 yards from the enemy. Waiting. In this superb audio adaptation of this 1928 classic drama, the naturalistic dialogue is what will draw the listener into the trenches--it's that realistic and affecting. The production features a cast of top-tier English character actors. Matthew Wolf finds the gentle humor in... Read More

Tayi Tibble's strong New Zealand accent may get in the way of clear comprehension of these poems for some listeners, at least until their ears have a chance to adjust. The sprinkling of Maori words adds to the atmosphere of the collection. The works focus--not always literally--on the poet's experiences making her way between her Maori culture and that of the European-descended... Read More

Multitalented playwright/director/actor Colman Domingo gathered an internationally acclaimed cast to hit this spirited blend of social satire, love, responsibility, and grief out of the park. When an out-of-work actor (a superb Domingo) returns home to face the heartbreak of burying his late mother, he receives all kinds of advice--from his wild best friend (an energetic Alex... Read More

When a white actor is accidentally cast as the lead in his play that strongly protests casting white actors in Asian American roles, Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang, portrayed by a droll Daniel Dae Kim, has a hard decision to make: Come clean or cover it up. As this production unfolds fast-paced scenes of phone calls, monologues, memories, and kitchen-table... Read More