Under Milk Wood Reviews
Los Angeles Times- Highly Recommended
"..."Milk Wood" isn't an easily approachable text. Devoid of the conventional arc of plot, Thomas' sprawling melange takes us into the lives of the vibrant inhabitants of Llareggub, lost and lonely souls who sing, drink, rollick and roister before collapsing into their beds and their ghost-ridden dreams. In this lively and beautifully paced production, Martin and his cast emphasize the mischievous, capturing Thomas' heroic ribaldry while honoring his play's mystery and essential sadness."
Stage and Cinema- Highly Recommended
"...The staging is impeccable. Martin creates beautiful tableaux and keeps the energy flowing, while expertly establishing the different households and lives of the villagers. We are never lost or confused. Perhaps the true heroes of the evening are Bruce Dickinson and Ina Shumaker, whose props are often the only visual clues we have to the many changes of character and location, along with clever changes in accessories from costume designer Carol Brolaski Kline. Their work is splendid, as are what I imagine to be the herculean labors of stage manager Jennifer Palumbo - this is not an easy show to call."
LA Splash- Recommended
"...Prior to the beginning of the show I overheard two other audience members comment about their personal experience with the show. One man commented that he was in the play while in high school and another audience member, a woman, recalled her time being in the play while in college. I on the other hand must confess to total ignorance having never even heard of Under Milk Weed until seeing it on stage at Atwater Village. It is a very entertaining and unique theatrical production presented by a clearly accomplished cast. But my one critical thought was that there should have been a short intermission because by the time it ran its full 90 minutes I was beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed. Had there been a short break say at the one hour mark I am sure it would have been far more fun during the final 30 minutes. Nevertheless a very well done and unique show."
Stage Raw- Recommended
"...Director Ben Martin accomplishes admirable and creative work with his ensemble, whether he's using them all to represent the moving waves in an oceanic storm or employing them as a series of bubbling tea kettles percolating in a row. His staging of the "chimbley-sweep" song, which sends the cast up into the audience, is lively and fun, ending with the memorable sight of one actor supposedly passed out drunk in the center aisle."
Discover Hollywood- Highly Recommended
"...In a time when social outcry is at an all-time high in the country, it's worth your time to sit back and enjoy falling into the lives of a town that really could be a small seaside town anywhere and fall in love with words and appreciate people for who they are as Dylan Thomas did. The Open Fist Ensemble at the Atwater Village theater will make you forget the present and enjoy a trip to the small seaside Welsh town Llareggub."
The TVolution- Recommended
"...I must admit it was strangely intoxicating to see a fully populated production with a near score of actors; and director Martin glides them over his stage with the natural elegance of a mist drifting on a meandering sea breeze."
Peoples World- Recommended
"...Open Fist Theatre Company just unveiled its interpretation of the famed Welsh poet's Under Milk Wood, originally written as a 1954 radio play but revived from time to time as a stage work and in film"