One Jewish Boy Reviews

Los Angeles Times- Somewhat Recommended

"...Directed by the Echo's artistic director, Chris Fields, "One Jewish Boy" tightly focuses on the conversational push and pull between Jesse and Alex as they try to work through their points of conflict. The debate between them is handled with admirable complexity, but the characters don't have enough room to develop beyond the central argument of the play."

Stage Scene LA- Highly Recommended

"...Is love enough to keep a couple together when one of them has been the victim of hate crime he simply can't get past' This is the question posed by English playwright Stephen Laughton in his gut-punchingly powerful One Jewish Boy, now getting a compelling West Coast premiere at Echo Theater Company."

On Stage Los Angeles- Highly Recommended

"...It's an excellent script and the American actors, according to a brief chat with Mr. Laughton, was reported that they nailed the accents and the attitudes he intended. My quibble is with nuance. My prediction is that as the production settles, that nuance may be more in evidence and welcome."

Stage Raw- Somewhat Recommended

"...But any audience member looking for textural characters or an in-depth exploration of the pressures society exerts on biracial couples or a searing probe of the conflagration around accusations of antisemitism (currently blazing, by the way) will be disappointed. The narrative features an ongoing heated discussion between Alex and Jesse about whether or not their boy should be circumcised, and one intense and angry scene in front of their child's pram after Jesse parades his switch to the Liberal Democrats (a centrist political party) by pasting the pram with their stickers."

Ticket Holders LA- Recommended

"...Upcoming British playwright and screenwriter Stephen Laughton is certainly a major talent to be watched. His award-winning play One Jewish Boy, now being introduced to the west coast by ever-ferreting (in a good way) Echo Theater Company, heralds a truly unique voice for our times'someone who takes on big and troubling societal issues not often addressed and boldly explores how forces beyond our control plague us as we careen through our shaky existence on this risky planet."

Larchmont Buzz- Highly Recommended

"...When audience is able to be transported into the world of the characters, uncomfortable as this production is, that resonates with me. Playwright Laughton paints a disturbing picture of what many Jews all over the world are feeling: who cares about our lives' Of course, when it comes to empathy, protection and respecting each other, we still have a long way to go."

Nerds Of Color- Recommended

"...Here in Los Angeles, this has translated into a rush of plays and films being produced that evoke the traumatic memories of the Holocaust and/or the plight of the Jewish people. Out of all of them, Stephen Laughton's One Jewish Boy, now having its west coast premiere at the Echo Theater Company, stands out in the most unique sense."