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Artistic Return: The Colt Coeur Production of “Still” at The Sheen Center
Colt Coeur’s production of “Still,” penned by Lia Romeo and helmed by director Adrienne Campbell-Holt, has made its return for an eight-week engagement at The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture’s Loreto Theater. Featuring notable performances by Melissa Gilbert and Mark Moses, the play explores themes of love, regret, and the complexities of reconnecting after significant time apart.
Set against a backdrop of nostalgia and missed opportunities, “Still” offers an insightful look into the lives of Helen and Mark, who, thirty years after their breakup, find themselves contemplating a second chance at romance. Both characters are navigating the challenges of modern dating, becoming increasingly frustrated with the pitfalls of dating apps. Yet, beneath their renewed hope, there are undercurrents of tension—Mark’s hidden motives and Helen’s undisclosed secrets could threaten their re-exploration of love.
The latest reviews provide a glimpse into the production’s reception and its impact on audiences:
Tulis McCall from The Front Row Center expresses a candid perspective on the play’s structure, suggesting that the first act’s contributions could be condensed into the second act seamlessly, enhancing the overall flow of the narrative.
According to Deborah Skolnik at Scarsdale Insider, the palpable anxiety of limited time serves as a critical element of the play. Helen’s admission of her slow writing process—taking seven years to finish her last book—adds to the layers of suspense surrounding whether she is prepared to embrace this second chance with Mark.
Ron Fassler from Theater Pizzazz praises the focus on older characters, noting the commendable choice by a younger playwright to write for them and acknowledging the stellar performances by Gilbert and Moses as significant strengths of the production.
Jonathan Mandell of New York Theater considers the performances of the lead actors as a highlight, skillfully navigating the clever dialogue crafted by Romeo. However, he raises concerns about the timeliness of the themes, particularly relating to Mark’s views on political moderation, suggesting that recent events may render these discussions less relevant to contemporary audiences.
Deb Miller from DC Theater Arts notes that Campbell-Holt’s energetic direction brings a sense of fluidity to the actors’ performances, effectively illustrating the rekindling of their past intimacy through playful interactions and shared moments.
Average Rating: 76.0%
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Source
www.broadwayworld.com