The Golden Dragon Reviews
Los Angeles Times- Recommended
"...Michetti's production, incorporating Sara Ryung Clement's abstract set design of metal scaffolding, projects onto the harsh narrative backdrop a Mary Zimmerman-esque whimsicality. The gushing blood from the young man's tooth is illustrated with a red ribbon, and the cricket's dance for the ant is conveyed through a suggestive gestural choreography with chopsticks that has a minimalist beauty all its own."
Broadway World- Somewhat Recommended
"...THE GOLDEN DRAGON takes a while to acclimate to the idea that actress Susana Batres (perfectly annoying as the screaming tooth-ached plagued Boy) is portraying a male. When two characters get introduced as flight attendants, we see Joseph Kamal and Theo Perkins mincing around in effeminate drag queen caricatures. Justin H. Min waits on them in the most flirtatious, flamboyant manner. Turns out all of these three characters are not drag queens or gay as they appallingly appear, but actual women."
Stage Scene LA- Recommended
''Five exceptional performances, Michael Michetti's highly imaginative direction, and a breathtaking Theatre @ Boston Court production design add up to reason enough to check out Roland Schimmelpfennig's The Golden Dragon despite a script more pretentious than profound."
Stage Raw- Recommended
"...Sometimes a play registers as up front and personal; one's immediately drawn into the experience of its characters, heartrending or comic or both as the case may be. (That's how I responded recently to Good People, a play by David Lindsay-Abaire about the struggles of a painfully honest working-class woman in South Boston.)"
Stage Los Angeles- Highly Recommended
"...Schimmelpfennig's story plays out broadly with verbalized 'short pauses'.. and longer pauses, that punctuate the characters' speeches. When not on stage, we see them quietly inert in the open wings. Annie Yee's choreography and well timed scene changes mark the success of fine directing and a dedicated cast. John Nobori's sound and music cues are perfect. Resolution of the death of the kitchen boy brings his life full circle as his errant tooth becomes the true thread of the story."
Accessibly Live Off-Line- Recommended
"...THE GOLDON DRAGON is a play that is quirky, dreamlike, and unlike actual Chinese food, doesn't leave you hungry an hour after consumption. Granted, it may leave a slight aftertaste. But then again, that's the way the fortune cookie crumbles!"
Theatre Notes- Recommended
"...The action is fast paced under the sure-handed direction of Michael Michetti, aided enormously by the scenic design of Sara Ryung Clement, a unit set consisting of pipe scaffolding on multiple levels. Elizabeth Harper's lighting design makes sure that the eye can follow the action as it moves from area to area. The basic costumes by Stephanie Kerley Schwartz are appropriate to the kitchen and are retained throughout the performance. And the sound design and composition by John Nobori completes a thoroughly well produced show."