COME BACK, LITTLE SHEBA

by Ed Bruce edbrucevegas@yahoo.com


I had to sleep on this one before writing my review.... this morning my impressions are stronger than ever.....this production is as good as any I have ever seen....Broadway, Utah Shakespeare, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Scotland, China or anywhere else !

The total experience was not without negatives....6 minutes late, 18 minute intermission and their encouragement to admit crying babies and old women who talk loud and often during the performance.... plus the eternal popping up of video phone texts ! How can this behavior be controled ? How do these bastards know where I am sitting and seek me out ?

Anyway....what marvelous theatre.

William Inge, playwright, 1913-1973, born Independence Kansas, University of Kansas during the depression, PICNIC, COME BACK LITTLE SHEBA, BUS STOP, THE DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS, BUS RILEY'S BACK IN TOWN among others He won the Pulitzer price for Picnic and an Oscar for screenplay for, Splendor in the Grass. These plays are not comedies ! Inge smoked, drank, was gay and committed suicide in L A at 60....gosh.... are we familiar with this scenario ? But how he gave and created, what a talent to write....I am left wondering about the mind that can create this dialogue ! The move 99 minutes, this play 112 minutes...what is the deal here.....the answer...to see both and do your own editing.

Once again, any review does not do justice to the production, a personal review is needed to get all the emotions produced here...this is why we go to the theatre...or should ! Anywhere, here is my read.

This was as perfectly a told story as could ever be produced...maybe, due somewhat to the fact that I saw the finale...they had it down perfect. This was the last show in a two week run by the Nevada Conservation Theatre at UNLV. THIS ONE WAS PERFECT IN AREAS ! I am still not sure what NCT is, as it appears to be a training ground for students, but Hall of Fame talent comes from out of town to amplify the productions. (equity actors) What do I care, I am there for the art.

Little Sheba not only had the script, it had all the trimings. They built a broadway quality set, made perfect costumes and produced a technically perfect production.....sensational lighting and blocking which encompassed loads professional experience with thought and energy.

The actors....I have seen all of the Inge movies with Hollywood's top stars to include Burt Lancaster and Shirley Booth (who won the Oscar for Sheba in 1952). This productions acting was as good as any. Michael Tylo as Doc and Susan Denaker as Lola, for me, as good or better than Lancaster and Booth. The bottom line to the whole deal is they told the story.... evoking great emotion, passion and thought ....from me anyway.....is this not the actors job ? YES !

I am done...my mom's advice to me plays in here again..."try it you might like it" !

They only get 92...A- for being late and letting other patrons irritate me...the production itself as good as I have ever seen !