Los Angeles Times - Recommended
"...Writer-director Stephen Sachs has relocated the movie's scenario to contemporary America in "Human Interest Story," having its world premiere at the Fountain Theatre. Sachs, who co-founded the Fountain and is its co-artistic director, aligns himself here with polemical writers such as Ibsen and Shaw, who used the stage as a platform for social criticism. "Human Interest Story" is a thorough catalog of the crises of our time and an unstinting indictment of the Trump administration."
Broadway World - Recommended
"...This thought-provoking testament to the universal struggle of living day-to-day in a society whose apathy seems to know no bounds for the down-and-out will grab your attention and keep you at the edge of your seat as Jane Doe's story unfolds. Tanya Alexander's magnificent ability to morph herself from a homeless woman in dirty clothing, sitting on a park bench holding a sign stating "I am NOT Invisible" allows us to see where she has been and how much she really desires to pick herself up by her bootstraps and do whatever is necessary to survive."
Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended
"...This is the second show this year in L.A. to take head-on the insanity of modern journalism (the insanity being that while newspapers deliver so-called news, they gotta make a buck, so sensationalism often wins out [ask Hearst], but now we have the interenet to contend with, where any fool can start a firestorm of fake news). With no intentions of reviewing, I caught the world premiere of Human Interest Story at the Fountain Theatre last night, and it can't be more highly recommended."
LA Splash - Somewhat Recommended
"...Unlike other plays that illuminate social issues through clever story telling, Sachs' "Human Interest Story" sinks into diatribe much of the time by reciting the domestic and international issues with which we are dealing, from global warming to the war in Afghanistan. It is during those moments that he is on a soapbox, making the play less interesting. It's as if his profound concerns are in search of a theatrical voice. That said, he deserves "A" for effort in trying to illuminate some of the world's life-threatening issues."
On Stage Los Angeles - Highly Recommended
"...Human Interest Story is a must see World Premiere. Hopefully, as with Sachs's earlier efforts, his message flies beyond its comfortable nest on Fountain."
Hollywood Progressive - Highly Recommended
"...With his stunning world premiere presentation of "Human Interest Story" at the Fountain Theatre, playwright and director Stephen Sachs stitches together issues deeply affecting American society, delivering them with a witty edge and kinetic punch that thrilled the audience the night we attended."
Stage Raw - Not Recommended
"...Unfortunately the play itself is flawed, and whatever message it intends to deliver gets muddled along the way."
Theatre Notes - Highly Recommended
"...An ensemble cast of protean actors flesh out the action in multiple roles. Most significant, perhaps, is Aleisha Force as reporter Megan Tunney, the frustrated hyper-sexual, on-again, off-again girl friend of Andy Kramer. Matt Kirkwood plays the role of Carl Miller, Herman Cain's hatchet-man. Tarina Pouncy plays Mayor Woods and others and Richard Azurdia scores as Hernandez, Rick Moran, and live-on-the-scene media types. And I loved his brief turn as a pushy Jane Doe fan seeking a selfie."
Peoples World - Highly Recommended
"...It's truly amazing what magic can materialize on such a small, sparsely furnished stage, but the Fountain manages to do it every time. This production is no exception. Watch for it in the "Critic's Choice" columns and the "Best of 2020" lists. For topicality, script, production, and acting, any human theatergoer with a heart and brain would have great interest in this story. It's very human. It's profoundly interesting. And it is a great story."
