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The Piano Lesson

Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

May 31, 2026

Unlike earlier New York productions, for this "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" set designer David Gallo has moved the set and action up close to the audience. It is as though we have been invited into the boarding house ourselves. Surrounding the boarding house are the factories and bridges that make up Pittsburgh’s life blood. Boone is more sympathetic than previous actors who have played Herald Loomis, a troubled man but one we can sympathize with. As his wife Martha, Abigail Onwunali brings an otherworldliness that adds another level to the play. As Bynum, Santiago-Hudson also endows his character both authority, wisdom and spirituality. [more]

The Blood Quilt

December 2, 2024

Katori Halls’ "The Blood Quilt" is fine as a family drama about warring sisters who both love and resent the mother who has just died. However, as a story of secrets and revelations it takes a little too long to get where it is going. It could use more incidents and exposés to warrant its length which seems padded. Don’t blame the fine actresses who seem to be living their several roles. [more]

The Piano Lesson

November 14, 2022

LaTanya Richardson Jackson (Samuel L. Jackson’s wife) has directed in a desultory fashion.  Long, revealing monologues, the backbone of this particular play, are delivered directly to the audience rather than to the other characters, making them more speeches than important character revelations.  She also chose to overdo the ending, which includes an ill-advised exorcism and won’t be ruined here. [more]