What They Said

admin — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:55:33 +0000

“Immensely talented playwright Julien Schwab broke onto the scene in
2000 with this incredible wrap-up of 20th century comedy-drama. If
Pirandello wrote entertaining plays and Pinter was a Yankee, they might
have collaborated, with a little help from Suzzy Roche, to create this fast-
paced wonder. But really, it is all Schwab, a writer with a clear new voice.
Sean Mewshaw’s masterful white-on-white melting set suggests
deconstructivism, but don’t try to apply post-modern restraints to the best
set in Hollywood so far this year. Three shockingly beautiful actors, who
are as talented as the writer, perform a west coast take on an east coast
phenomenon. Corey Volovar as Penny shows what Stanislavsky meant by
his “A-B-C” acting manuals, then surpasses anything you’ll see by even
the most sincere method actor. The dashing Adam Gertler behaves like a
Chekov character who suddenly finds himself in a Mamet play. Boston
Stergis, matinee idol handsome, plays the central character(s)Roger and
Tom, with a rugged reality that is nothing short of amazing. One thing is
for certain, they play with an ensemble spirit that is engaging to the max.
The play is about the theatre in the most superficial levels, at its core it is
about so much more: love and death, decay and transcendence.”
- Jacob Clark, NoHoLA

“Part Pirandello, part The Twilight Zone, playwright Julian Schwab’s
engrossing comic commentary on the futility of one-sided relationships
also serves as a tribute to the theater. From the obvious comedy to the
wrenching pathos, director Nicholas Cotzplumbs the multiple levels of
Schwab’s storytelling. His cast delivers sturdy and committed
performances, especially Volovar’s much-put-upon Penny as well as
Stergis’ transformation from doubting Thomas to a true believer in the
theater’s healing powers. Designer Sean Mewshaw’s set of open walls and
tape on the floor representing walls complements Schwab’s fervent
insistence to overcome the barriers we all encounter, from the ones
imposed on us to those we impose on ourselves.”
- Martin Hernandez, LA Weekly

““Rogerandtom” is an engaging work of metadrama, raising a series of
interesting questions about the role of theatre in theatre itself. The play
uses a comedic twist to challenge the conventions of theatre. Julien
Schwab, the playwright, did an excellent job in writing the roles of Roger
and William, whose engaging discussion prods the audience to think of
theatrical conventions in a new way. All three of the actors’ performances
were well acted. Most notable was Boston Stergis, playing the title role,
whose interloping character effectively made the audience laugh while
convincingly exploring his own role within the metadrama. The role of
William/Richard, acted graciously by Adam Gertler, played the
omniscient ringleader, directing and coaxing understanding into the
other two characters. For me, the most intriguing and beautiful part of the
play was the set, designed by Sean Mewshaw. Using the cozy space of the
Tamarind Theatre, Mewshaw created a set that perfectly balances the play
and effectively interacts with the players to create an ideal setting. The
broken plaster and stark color scheme, almost entirely black and white,
are a beautiful symbol of the ideas within the play, that is, the
deconstruction of the play itself. Comedic yet thought provoking,
“rogerandtom” is an intriguing work of drama which challenges the
audience to think inside the black box, rather than attempting to escape it.
Its neo-modernist self reflection engages and entertains while
deconstructing the boundaries of theatrical production.”
- Asya Anderso, LA Splash