Los Angeles Times - Recommended
"...Initially provocative, the tart humor grows rancid, the plotting feels heavy-handed and the characters are eviscerated so balefully that you may, defiantly, start to sympathize with them. If you do remember them at your own Thanksgiving table, you will also be glad you didn't invite Bruce Norris."
LA Weekly - Somewhat Recommended
"...In Norris' drama, the monster appears to be a metaphor for the family's moral rot but, notwithstanding the keen wit of the writing, there's something one-note about the shrill situations and endless spite. Nevertheless, director Jennifer Chambers' taut production crackles with energy and rage, and assured, often harrowing performances are offered by Hynds in portraying the hateful and hate-filled Kelly, Hunicutt as the seething Clay, and April Adams as the casually monstrous, visiting mother-in-law."
LAist - Somewhat Recommended
"...Nonetheless, his writing is sharp and witty, and the new production of the show at the Zephyr Theatre is outstanding."
LA Splash - Somewhat Recommended
"...The audience laughed at appropriate parts (though I didn't) and I found that the illness, which they alluded to (Herpes), was described wrong and didn't appear comedic, at all. It is apparently where the playwright found the title, however. I didn't understand the role of Mr. Hadid until the very end and found the finale very unsatisfying."
Examiner - Somewhat Recommended
"...While not in my mind perfect it does contain plenty of humor, abundant human insight and an intriguing plot. And yes some offensive, in my view, material."
Campus Circle - Recommended
"...What makes this whole performance so enjoyable is that the cast's ability to act genuinely and naturally. There's not a moment in the play when you believe the cast is merely acting; their dedication to their characters is evident."
On Stage Los Angeles - Recommended
"...The play is an actor's dream. Every character is singular and complexly designed to make the audience do some self examination regarding gender roles, success, morals and prejudice. The Pain and The Itch are more than just physical symptoms. They are indications of the attitude to which each of us may set our own personal compass and sail off into our lives."
Culture Spot LA - Recommended
"...Director Jennifer Chambers has put together the dramatic components professionally: The production values are quite good - a well-furnished living room set, effective lighting and evocative music. It's a small theater, so you are never more than two rows away from the action, which is always an advantage of small theaters. The play is lively, certainly - there is a lot of sturm und drang and people rushing about. And yes, there are laughs to be had. It is an adult play - there is a running gag where porn is accidentally launched on the living room TV. But in the end, is it merely a tale full of sound and fury, signifying nothing? Judge for yourself."
LifeInLA - Recommended
"...Despite the disappointing ending, the cast does its level best to keep this play from falling apart, and they mostly succeed. There is also sufficient humor and the pacing is quick, which makes the first three-quarters of this play funny and involving enough to keep us interested, if for no other reason than we can probably all relate to the tensions and stress of a holiday with family. The family in this play, however, may make you all the more thankful for your own."
The Los Angeles Post - Recommended
"...There is a lot going on, and it's the kind of play you can see a few times and walk away with something new each time. It's full of intrigue with good twists that will make you laugh one minute and angry the next. I brought a guest with me, and we spent the rest of the evening discussing the play in detail. It was then I realized, Wow! That was good theater but one heck of a bad Thanksgiving dinner."
Santa Monica Daily Press - Somewhat Recommended
"...Bruce Norris' play "The Pain and the Itch" is rendered perfectly in a current revival at Los Angeles' Zephyr Theatre. Perfect ensemble work by a superb cast. Perfect direction. Funny dialog. Perfect timing. The only thing wrong with the play is the plot."
Broadway World - Recommended
"...Wickedly funny and deeply insightful, this contemporary examination of American ideals is as shocking as it is socially relevant."
