Who/Where: Catalyst Theater, Capitol Hill Arts Workshop
What (in 25 words): Brecht parable-izes Hitler's rise; a lurid, ludicrous tale about a Chicago cauliflower monopoly that turns chilling just when you've been lulled into laughing at it
Tboy liked:
- the sheer confident style of it (gangster suits, hard-boiled molls, shadowplay, physical precision)
- the genuine belly laughs (fun with classical acting!)
- the way it gets scary when it should (jeez, that final sequence ...)
- the scrappy noise of the live band
Not so much:
- a few flabby verse sequences
- a slowish scenery-shift or two
The verdict: Smooth, smart, entertaining work on a tough play--and a timely one. We can all use a reminder about standing up to bullies.
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