Stage and Cinema - Somewhat Recommended
"...Alfred Hitchcock’s 1951 psychological film noir thriller Strangers on a Train, which he directed and produced to mixed reviews, was based on the 1950 novel of the same name by Patricia Highsmith. But since then, the film has been regarded much more favorably; and in 2021 was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” The 1987 film Throw Mama from the Train by Danny DeVito was inspired by Strangers on a Train, which is also watched by DeVito’s character in the film."
LA Splash - Highly Recommended
"...The production team does a creditable job, including Jeff G. Rack for set design, Derrick McDaniels for lighting, and Nick Foran for sound. Of special note is the clever incorporation of the murder scene into the mundane home setting. STRANGERS ON A TRAIN will definitely appeal to mystery-thriller buffs, who might want to take a peek at Hitchcock's film after viewing the stage production."
Stage Scene LA - Highly Recommended
"...Theatre 40 hits a suspense thriller bullseye with Craig Warner’s edge-of-your-seat take on Patricia Highsmith’s dark and twisted page-turner Strangers On A Train."
ArtsBeatLA - Highly Recommended
"...With its sinister premise and dark, twisted exploration of human nature, Strangers on a Train presents a gripping and suspenseful story, with a pair of complex and fascinating characters at its center. Warner’s stage adaptation will likely be enjoyed by fans of the novel, the film, or anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers."
On Stage Los Angeles - Highly Recommended
"...Director, Jules Aaron, with countless plays under his belt, directs with his usual savvy. The tension builds to the very end. Some of us in the audience were visibly shaken as we left the theatre!!"
Showmag - Highly Recommended
"...Theatre Forty's company more than stands up to the complexities of Craig Warner's adaptation; but, sadly, the stage craft fails. The long stage affords nooks and crannies in which to stage individual scenes, but the theatre lacks technology to accomplish the changes. Director Jules Aaron applies his considerable television background to supercede these limitations and largely succeeds. Still, this is a tense, suspenseful production that shouldn't be missed!"
Stage Raw - Recommended
"...Strangers on a Train is best known as a 1951 Hitchcock film based on prolific author Patricia Highsmith's novel. Having not seen the movie nor read the book, I was able to see the play at Theatre 40 without being influenced by the Hitchcock or Highsmith oeuvres. What I found was a production of an intriguing psychological thriller that nicely captures the era's noir mood and melodrama."
Its Not About Me - Somewhat Recommended
"...Fans of Hitchcock, (as I semi am,) will be interested to see his famous 1951 film, Strangers on a Train, as a play. I could not even envision how the not-too-big Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills would present it, but it all worked-out. I knew it would be a gargantuan undertaking for them, for which I offer my applause."
Larchmont Buzz - Recommended
"...The absolute highlight of the show, though, is Michael Mullen as Bruno. He absolutely wows with this performance. The tears flowing from his character are so real and intimate, bringing layers of subtext forward, and creating an empathetic character. Heightened even more by the size of the theatre, you can feel his desperation, his pain, his yearning to be accepted and loved, and his love for Guy."
