Better at Atwater Village Theatre

Better

Atwater Village Theatre
3269 Casitas Ave Atwater Village

The world premiere of a gentle, funny examination of family and mortality — a Jewish, Midwestern Chekhov for the 21st century. Annie returns to her childhood home in the Midwest to escape marital discord and visit her father, who is dying of cancer. As dramatic changes outside of her control take place around her, she reconnects with family and childhood friends. Secrets are revealed, wine is drunk, songs are sung and relationships rekindled.

Thru - Nov 9, 2014

Fridays: 8:00pm

Saturdays: 8:00pm

Sundays: 7:00pm

Price: $25

Show Type: Comedy/Drama

Box Office: 323-644-1929

www.ensemblestudiotheatrela.org

Better Reviews

Average Rating based on 7 reviews

Highly Recommended
Recommended
Somewhat Recommended
Not Recommended

Los Angeles Times - Recommended

"...Bishop's Annie and Madera's Frank winningly enact their romantic fumble. Joe Spano is softly wonderful as Annie's dying dad and Andrea Grano as Frank's former wife is a pleasure-seeking missile with an errant GPS system. If only the play were as springily original as her character."

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- Charles McNulty

LA Weekly - Recommended

"...Though some story threads remain inadequately explored and the ending feels underdeveloped, Goldberg's ability to get under the emotional skin of her characters and the solid cast that brings them to life are what shine in this production."

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- Mayank Keshaviah

Stage and Cinema - Somewhat Recommended

"...The characters all seem to have a place, and I enjoyed watching them navigate the waters of communication breakdown, including all the cutting and unpleasant criticism that entails. Yet even with convincing scenes (some of which end without building to the proper tension), naturalistic direction by Jennifer Chambers, Stephen Gifford's expansive set, and wonderful performances (an Echo Theatre trademark), I found many of the character's arcs unconvincing."

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- Tony Frankel

Stage Scene LA - Recommended

"...Fresh and funny and touching and wise, Jessica Goldberg's Better is yet another Echo Theatre Company winner. That Goldberg has come up with a way to end her latest creation in a scene of incandescent beauty and grace provides icing on what is already a scrumptious cake … and what could be better than that?"

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- Steven Stanley

Examiner - Recommended

"...For a broader audience "Better" is a beautiful story of human imperfection. It peels away at the outer core of its main characters and vividly reveals inner secrets. I believe that what is portrayed is actually a brilliant revelation of the true essence of humanity brought to the fore by impending tragedy of the most profound kind. However, as with life itself, the play is peppered with abundant humor as well as moving drama."

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- Ron Irwin

On Stage Los Angeles - Recommended

"...Stephen Gifford's beautifully executed set with subtle lighting by R. Christopher Stokes creates the perfect atmosphere for the story to unfold. Goldberg's ability to bring these three dimensional characters to life: emerging through twenty months of workshopping by The Echo pays off."

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- Michael Sheehan

KCRW - Recommended

"...What's exciting is to experience a playwright, an artist, grappling with what makes a life meaningful. To notice, through her words how your own life has morphed. To witness how life, however challenging, has made Ms. Goldberg a more complicated playwright."

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- Anthony Byrnes