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Review: IN THE COMPANY OF JANE DOE by Martin Denton
Tiffany Antone's new play In the Company of Jane Doe is built around a terrific premise: what if a stressed-out, over-extended, fast-tracking businesswoman (like the play's eponymous Jane Doe) decided to clone herself, so there would be two of her, instead of one, to get all the work done?

Review: JACK'S BACK by Martin Denton
Jack's Back is a musical comedy about Jack the Ripper. You read that right: it's a comedy and not even particularly a dark one--it's meant to be a merry yarn, sort of an amalgam of The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Oliver! crossed with Some Like It Hot, with just a touch of Sweeney Todd thrown in for good measure. So many antecedents may, like too many cooks, spoil the broth: there are serious tonal problems here, as the show never seems to settle into a particular style.

Review: THE ORANGE PERSON by Martin Denton
There's something quintessentially American about The Orange Person, a celebration of individuality, small town life, and joyful story-telling created by Jeremy Bloom, Laura Dunn, and Brian Rady. Structurally it reminded me a lot of Once (which it pre-dates, by the way), using a gathering of minstrels and musicians as a framework to unfold its imaginative, singular story: the simple informality of the piece reinforces its themes and never feels false or ingenuous or precious. Bloom, who directs, informs us at the beginning that the company is doing this show for fun, and there was never a moment when I doubted him. (Though it's to be hoped that this remarkable work can bring these artists some more tangible rewards as well!)

Review: THE BACHELORS’ TEA PARTY by Martin Denton
Stolen Chair, one of my favorite indie theater companies, is offering a unique performance event this spring/summer at Lady Mendl's, an eating and drinking establishment located in a townhouse near Gramercy Park. It's called The Bachelors' Tea Party, and it takes place, literally and dramaturgically, at a tea party. (Actually, the play spans multiple tea parties over multiple years.)

Review: DEGENERATION X by Martin Denton
Degeneration X, a new multimedia play created by Leah Bachar (author) and Meredith Edwards (director), uses live action and pre-recorded video to tell the truly gripping story of Xavier, a young man who is stricken with a rare, incurable disease that will eventually make him blind. In the weeks and months before he completely loses his vision, he is plagued with hallucinations and an increasing inability to focus and concentrate. Much of the play/film deals directly with his condition and his response to it, and when it sticks to this theme Degeneration X is both harrowing and fascinating.