Slaughterhouse-Five at Studio Stage

Slaughterhouse-Five

Studio Stage
520 N. Western Ave. Los Angeles

Based on Kurt Vonnegut's classic novel, SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE introduces us to Billy Pilgrim, a man who becomes "unstuck in time" after he is abducted by aliens. In a plot-scrambling display of virtuosity, we follow Pilgrim simultaneously through all the phases of his life. Concentrating on his (and Vonnegut's) shattering experience as an American prisoner of war who witnesses the firebombing of Dresden, this satirical and horrifying anti-war story carries a unique poignancy – and humor.

Presented by Action! Theatre Company

Thru - Oct 23, 2010

Thursdays: 8:00pm

Fridays: 8:00pm

Saturdays: 8:00pm

Price: $22

Show Type: Comedy/Drama

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Slaughterhouse-Five Reviews

Average Rating based on 3 reviews

Highly Recommended
Recommended
Somewhat Recommended
Not Recommended

LA Weekly - Somewhat Recommended

"...An entirely satisfying adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's 1969, postmodernist, antiwar novel may simply be a dramatic impossibility. George Roy Hill's 1972 film version comes close in its rendering of the book's dark, ironic fatalism and some of its chaotic narrative sweep. Where both Hill and this 1996 stage adaptation by Steppenwolf writer Eric Simonson fall short, however, is in capturing the elusive, playful poignancy of a story that is less about war than it is about memory and reconciling the trauma of the lived experience."

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- Bill Raden

Backstage - Somewhat Recommended

"...Director Tiger Reel has given the piece an energetic staging, but there's so much plot-not to mention Vonnegut's philosophical and metaphysical speculations-that anyone not already well-versed in the original novel might find it hard to grasp. A few verbal gems stick in the mind: "All wars are children's crusades" is there to remind us that wars are masterminded by old men, while the young provide the cannon fodder."

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- Neal Weaver

Stage Scene LA - Somewhat Recommended

"...Despite having prepped for the production by reading several online synopses and analyses of Vonnegut's novel, at some point I got lost along the way. Simonsen's adaptation relies a bit too much on Vonnegut's narrative voice, performed here by a rather too deadpan Raymond Donahey seated above the audience the better to observe the action onstage. Also, Donahey's repeated need to shine a flashlight on his script throughout the performance proved a distraction."

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- Steven Stanley

Slaughterhouse-Five at Studio Stage