The Rainbow Bridge Reviews
LA Splash- Highly Recommended
"...In a series of 4 to 6 minute vignettes, author Nelson takes the hapless crew through some very funny territories. With sit-com-like punches of humor, the seven cast members deliver some clever one- and two-liners which lend themselves to chuckles and even guffaws. Nelson has taken little time in rounding out his characters - instead presenting them as jokes waiting to happen. Don't expect depth or insights from this merry crowd. The goal is laughter, and the play succeeds in reaching its goal. For a fun couple of hours, THE RAINBOW BRIDGE is worth a peek."
On Stage Los Angeles- Recommended
"...Playwright Ron Nelson sees his play as a 'vitamin for the soul.' We have all heard that "Laughter is the Best Medicine" and make no mistake The Rainbow Bridge has some laughs."
Will Call- Recommended
"...The many scene changes are swift but it's a waste of time to adjust the backdrop strips again and again since our attention is riveted on the droll situations and perfect performances. Ron Nelson's dialogue is smart, witty and original and the ensemble, thanks to Casting Director Paul Ruddy, is stellar, from the beleaguered Schackman to Mouchette Van Helsdingen, whose most memorable cameo is as a wheelchair-bound invalid. Kisses and bravos to Director/Producer Michael R. Myers and to everybody out there, a nudge in the direction of the ticket source."
Culver City News- Somewhat Recommended
"...But while the short play does generate lots of laughs, unfortunately it is presented more like a workshop rather than a full theatrical production, with actors doing fine work. But, more often than not, we see them screaming their lines more as caricatures than fully realized people. Also disappointing was the scenic design by Hillary Bauman consisting of little more than assorted strips of fabric tacked on the walls which were quickly re-folded into different colors to reflect scene changes. This surprised me as most plays at the Ruskin are performed on intricately designed sets."
Stage Raw- Somewhat Recommended
"...Much of the humor comes from Jerry's exasperated attempts to deal with the very real people in his life while also verbally fending off the two dead ladies whom nobody else can see. However, it's not enough. Schackman, a masterful character actor, displays every aspect of Jerry's frustration. He's clearly reeling with guilt over the fact that he wasn't a better dog owner, a better brother to the sister who killed herself, or a more caring son to his deadbeat mom. And he is not too happy about the state of his marriage or his failing relationship with his young daughter. Unfortunately, there is little here to grab one's interest."
Broadway World- Highly Recommended
"...In Ruskin Group Theatre's world premiere of Ron Nelson's THE RAINBOW BRIDGE, Michael Myers briskly directs a concise 75 minutes of snappy dialogue led by the high-energy, powerhouse performance of Paul Schackman as the conflicted, haunted lawyer Jerry. Schackman nails Nelson's machine gun-spouting dialogue, full of witty angst and genuine emotions, with lots of laughs along the way. Schackman instantly switches to whom he's talking to as if he's carrying on two separate conversations simultaneously."