Desert Rats at The Los Angeles Theatre Center

Stage Raw - Recommended

"...Derek Chariton is wonderful as the strangely sympathetic yet wildly volatile Jesse. He goes from chill to all fired up with the flip of a switch. Lila Gavares as Amber captures the attitude of a girl raised in privilege. She allows her fierceness to come out despite her fear, and has a cleverness that she depends upon to get her out of her predicament. During all their interactions, it seems as if Jesse and Amber are engaged in a game - but is it a game of chicken, or cat and mouse? Trying to figure out who has control in any given scene is half the fun of this show. Walt Gray IV is ferocious as the easily-angered Frank. His quick temper and lack of mercy quickly rebalances the scales in the brothers' favor anytime Amber manages to gain the upper hand."