Anna Christie Reviews
Los Angeles Times- Not Recommended
"...The plot belongs to another era, revolving around Anna's redemption from her life as a former prostitute after the neglect and exploitation of her childhood. But in trying to stylistically update O'Neill's Pulitzer Prize-winning 1921 drama, this mismanaged revival makes the work seem irretrievably outdated."
Broadway World- Recommended
"...Every once in awhile I am blown away by an innovative and excitingly creative theatrical production which surprises me both physically and emotionally. Such was the case when I experienced Eugene O'Neill's ANNA CHRISTIE at the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble. The incredible cast stars Zoe Perry alongside her real-life father, Scandal's Jeff Perry, and Grey's Anatomy's Kevin McKidd as the play's trio of iconic characters who create an explosive mix, each struggling for salvation."
Stage and Cinema- Recommended
"...The new Odyssey production greatly benefits from the thoughtfulness behind director Kim Rubinstein's often searing images. Physically, it's a great watch. Wilson Chin's zen-minimal set, surrounded on three sides by water, floats in copious machine-made fog that I found pleasing (though I overheard two complaints, one stylistic, one of eye irritation). Michael Gend's lighting of this show is effective, if (like that fog) too often self-conscious, and sometimes unnecessarily dim-but these look to me like direction, rather than design. At any rate, when Kevin McKidd splashes out of the sea like an amniotic merman, you're certainly watching a directed show. And thank God, or dat devil, for that."
The Hollywood Reporter- Recommended
"...Ultimately an upbeat tale of redemption featuring one of O'Neill's uncharacteristically (and forced) happy endings, Anna Christie received critical acclaim and box office success during its initial run at the Vanderbilt Theatre, and its somber gleam is presented intact in the current revival. Rubinstein and her cast wisely avoid gender politics, artistic or political agendas, and focus on O'Neill's strength as a writer – multi-dimensional characters all stumbling blindly toward the graveyard."
ArtsInLA- Recommended
"...Still, the most indelible component in Rubinstein's atmospheric, courageously unpretentious new look at the gloomy long-gone world O'Neill so uniquely explored, is the brilliantly rich and multifaceted performance of Zoe Perry, who tumbles headfirst into the trials, strengths, and shattered dreams of the title role with dizzying force."
LifeInLA- Recommended
"...Odyssey Theatre Ensemble knocks it out of the park with their latest production of Eugene O'Neill's Pulitzer Prize-winning Anna Christie starring Jeff Perry and his real-life daughter Zoe Perry as estranged father and daughter "Chris" and "Anna Christopherson.""
The Los Angeles Post- Not Recommended
"...Eugene O'Neill's Anna Christie, now at the Odyssey, serves up a double whammy: an overexcited melodrama suffering through an over-the-top production. This story of seafaring folk traps us in a perfect storm of whiny and unsympathetic characters, prolix writing, major overacting, and strange, incongruous, and sometimes simply annoying production elements."
Showmag- Recommended
"...At two-and-a-quarter hours, Anna Christie delves into issues of love and loss, separation and anxiety, and finally, resilience, all with insight and revelation. Experiencing Anna Christie is akin to a trip back in time. O'Neill's words still resonate, and the characters continue to speak to us."