Review: The Post

Ladies and gentlemen, we have our first review and it is a good'un. Nelson Pressley. Sweet, sweet Nelson Pressley at The Washington Post has given References . . . a raaaaaaave!

Every one of the actors and designers and the director each gets a shout out. That makes me so happy I can't even begin to tell you. I will take a stab at it though.

This is what you want. I think this show is solid from top to bottom, and to have that recognized any where outside of my own head, is comforting like in a grilled cheese and tomato soup on the coldest day in April kind of way.

Read the whole thing here, but here are some choice bits:

. . . "References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot," the whimsical yet absorbing romantic drama getting a wise, passionate production by Rorschach Theatre.

Rivera's writing becomes incisively realistic once the unexpectedly vivid Benito arrives; although he's framed in fantasy and often cloaked in rapturous language, the character shapes up as an unusually compelling stage portrait of a soldier.

It's similar to Terrence McNally's "Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune" (which plumbs a first encounter) recently at Arena Stage, only Rivera's play is more persuasively poetic and more plausible, more honest.

And three more in case you want to hear about the design and directing:

Director Shirley Serotsky has sure instincts with Rivera's shifting style, and her lead actors circle each other with devastating familiarity, trading barbs with supple romantic insinuation or weary brittleness as needed.

(The witty costumes are by Pei Lee.)

Robbie Hayes's scenic design delivers cracked desert earth below and shattered sky above. And Andrew F. Griffin's lights and Matthew Nielson's sound design provide romantic accompaniment that is never hokey, even when a storm breaks as the show crests to a climax.

References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot continues this weekend and runs until May 13th. Get your tickets now by calling 1-800-494-TIXS or visit BoxOfficeTickets.com.

You guys rock!