Ah, Wilderness! Reviews
Edge- Somewhat Recommended
"...O'Neill was clearly trying to create this alternative, sweet family that is so the opposite of the reality reflected in "Long Day's Journey," and to a degree, he manages to make his alt-family real. But Robman's direction distracts from the construction by adding period songs, which open and close the play, adding sentimentality to the mix; it doesn't work well enough, merely slowing down the action."
Stage Scene LA- Highly Recommended
"...A New England teen does considerable growing up over the course of thirty-six midsummer hours in Ah, Wilderness!, Eugene O'Neil's timeless bit of early twentieth-century Americana, delightfully revived by A Noise Within in a production that could only have been improved by the casting of an age-appropriate lead."
Hollywood Progressive- Recommended
"...Steven Robman skillfully directs the Wilderness! ensemble. Scenic designer Frederica Nascimento's sets are simple in comparison to those of other ANW productions, such as the elaborate home, et al, in last year's adaptation of Arthur Miller's All My Sons. Garry Lennon's costuming, on the other hand, does impart a sense of fashions as worn in New England, circa 1906."
Stage Raw- Somewhat Recommended
"...Ah, Wilderness! leaves us with an idealized, romanticized portrait of the past. The question I'm left with after this production is: Why do we continue to look back?"
Haines His Way- Recommended
"...The cast is strong and works together in smooth, clockwork precision. Gall does a good job of showing up the various shades of a young man coming to grips with his independence and Goss makes a lovely foil for him as Muriel. Blumenfeld gives a comic performance underlined with tragic highlights and is evenly matched with Swink. Hormann and Strang will make you wish your parents were more understanding and caring like them. Kelsey Carthew as the inept maid Norah and Kosloski as the flirty Belle add some delightful comic moments. Garry D. Lennon did the luscious period costumes. The set changes are accompanied with musical olios of popular songs from the turn of the last century, wonderfully performed by the cast."
Tin Pan LA- Recommended
"...O'Neill's Ah Wilderness! is a charming play that provides a glimpse back to simpler times where family singing, playing in the front yard, reading poetry, and passing love notes was the norm and the Fourth of July was the greatest day of the year."