The Engine of Our Ruin at Victory Theatre Center

The Engine of Our Ruin

Victory Theatre Center
3326 West Victory Blvd. Burbank

Wells' richly eccentric characters fiercely compete to maintain their own personal power, not to mention a shred of their own personal beliefs and integrity. The misadventures that ensue continue to raise the stakes of hilarity to a fevered pitch.

Thru - Jun 26, 2016

Fridays: 8:00pm

Saturdays: 8:00pm

Sundays: 4:00pm

Price: $24-$34

Show Type: Drama

Box Office: 818-841-5421

www.thevictorytheatrecenter.org

The Engine of Our Ruin Reviews

Average Rating based on 6 reviews

Highly Recommended
Recommended
Somewhat Recommended
Not Recommended

Los Angeles Times - Recommended

"...For those who doubt the power of words, "Ruin" illustrates the sheer difficulty of human communication in this finely communicated play, which establishes Wells as a writer of the first rank. Politically astute and sophisticated, "Ruin" will level you with laughter."

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- F. Kathleen Foley

LA Weekly - Somewhat Recommended

"...The Engine of Our Ruin, now having its world premiere at the Victory Theatre Center under the direction of Maria Gobetti, is a wildly uneven comedy. Written by Jason Wells, it runs the gamut from your basic physical farce (better-hide-in-the-closet-because-you're-drunk-and-the-boss-is-coming sort of thing) to a thoughtful, if somewhat wordy, satiric take on international diplomacy. While too fragmented in focus and extended in length to be entirely successful, it nonetheless offers more than a few entertaining moments, along with astute observations about human miscommunication and its possible deleterious effects on the fate of nations."

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- Deborah Klugman

The Tolucan Times - Highly Recommended

"...Written with dark comedic brilliance by Jason Wells, and directed with a WELL PACED FERVOR by Maria Gobetti. We are privy to a political meeting held by a U.S. diplomat and his assistant, EXCELLENTLY DEPICTED by both Tim Ryan Meinelschmidt and Gregory Hoyt."

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- Pat Taylor

ArtsInLA - Highly Recommended

"...T.his is a beautifully written, exceptionally mounted, wonderfully shrewd topical comedy. But, for all of us reeling from the fears and threats that ignite the world with hostilities and rampant paranoia, if you're not already scared out of your wits that our planet could be doomed by the ridiculousness of our destructive actions, when you wipe away the tears of laughter, this play should do the trick."

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- Travis Michael Holder

Stage Raw - Recommended

"...Director Maria Gobetti has assembled a top-notch cast, and given the piece a beautiful and assured production. Abraham's Haroun is the perfect embodiment of determined intransigence, and Meinelschmidt's Charles personifies official fecklessness. Fazal's Razi is a prototypical fanatic, and Shrime's Majid is a wily operative who's eager to foment unrest and rebellion so long as he can preserve his deniability. Hofvendahl's Boris is an eloquent opponent of government smugness and defender of rationality, humility and commonsense. Spencer Rowe plays an American security agent who may be a secret CIA operative. Shannon McManus and Gregory Hoyt provide loyal support as Charles' aides, and Kimberly Alexander shines as a scatty, willful, hot-to-trot American tourist who's thrilled to be on hand for a possible regime change."

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- Neal Weaver

Accessibly Live Off-Line - Recommended

"...This play written by Jason Wells is a fast moving piece that contains sharp dialogue, shaper attitudes, along with a whole load of genuine wit! The comedy depicted is more of an absurd variety that carries quality laughs. The bally taking place between the characters progresses in rapid fire motives, making this stage piece resemble a post-modern screwball comedy! The cast of eight players motivate the spirt of the play's themes and ideas in a frantic yet controlled measure, thanks to Maria Gobetti's stage direction. (Gobetti, along with Tom Ormeny, serve as the artistic directions of the Victory Theatre Center.)"

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- Rich Borowy

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The Engine of Our Ruin at Victory Theatre Center