The End Times Reviews
Los Angeles Times- Highly Recommended
"..."Times" marks the first co-production between Skylight Theatre Company and Playwrights' Arena, two long-established companies known for championing new works. They have backed a winner in Shao's provocative and timely play, which has been directed by Playwrights' Arena founder Jon Lawrence Rivera, whose deft and harrowing staging is further buoyed by exceptional design elements and a youthfully fervent cast."
Stage Scene LA- Highly Recommended
"...'s eye-opening indeed to realize that there are folks (probably within blocks of the Skylight Theatre) who believe that everything they think, say, or do is in preparation for The End Time, their lives laid out for them from birth: "We grow up, we go to a college where there's a church life, live in Corporate Living, graduate with a degree that's Church approved and then march our way to the Full-Time Training." Holy moley!"
Santa Monica Daily Press- Somewhat Recommended
"..."The End Times" is a mildly interesting play vociferously presented under the direction of Jon Lawrence Rivera. But sadly, Mu-En Shao's ending is both implausible and unconvincing and can't help but leave the viewer feeling vaguely dissatisfied."
Stage Raw- Recommended
"...The script is at times fascinating, at times infuriating. The play would have benefited from a more nuanced exploration of the fine line between religion and cult; moreover, the playwright does himself a disservice when he makes Evan's banishment a result of corruption rather than ideological difference."
Theatre Ghost- Recommended
"...The publicity materials and Facebook page for The End Times make clear that Shao's been wrestling with this material for several years, and that it's autobiographical. (Oddly, the printed program omits this.) By determinedly pursuing what could have been mere self-indulgence, Shao has opened a distinctive and valuable window into the secret world of religious cults. The play may not yet fully embody its promise, but it's already an engaging tale and fully deserves continued effort."