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| Press: James Beck 9 x 9 Atlanta Journal Constitution Profile Chicago Arts and Entertainment Article 9 x 9 Audience Responses: 9X9 Equals Delightful (accessatlanta.com) Posted by LoisLane on 06/12/08 If you fail to see Atlanta Stage Write productions Second Annual 9X9 you'll kick yourself later for missing a great evening of theatre. Nine playwrights each create ten-minute vignettes (complete plays) performed in their entirety in an historic church just off the main drag of Old Historic Norcross. What better setting than one where you can knosh on good food and libations a block from the theatre before or after the show? The fifteen or so performers bring a wealth of experience and ability to the table. Sure some make up in enthusiasm what they lack in ability, which accounts for the four out of five rating. It's only startling how balanced the pieces are until you discover that many of the writers are long-time published screenwriters and dramatists and some of the actors have substantial credentials. You're carried through time, space and into fantastical realms between this life and...whatever else there is as they explore the human experience. If you miss variety and enjoy a change of pace, make the trip to Norcross; it will be the shortest trip of the evening. When you return from the borders of Heaven, battlefields of Shiloh, campfires of West Texas or the minefields of love you'll know you've taken a trip well worth the $15 admission, especially given today's gas prices. You'll probably discover new talent or rediscover talent you overlooked before. Either way it's a delightful experience and you'll leave as the audience you were a major collaborator in a spectacular evening of pure performance art. "9x9" is a surprising treat! (theaterreview.com) By Line - Sorry I don't have enough free time to post a "full fledged" review, but I did want to share what a surprisingly enjoyable evening of theatre my wife and I had last week at the "9x9" performance in Norcross. I say "surprisingly" because the strength of the material and the quality of the acting was considerably above what I was expecting. "9x9" is an impressive collection of "one acts" from an impressive collection local playwrights, directed by an impressive collection of local directors and perfromed by an impressive collection of local actors. The pieces range from comedic to insightful, with topics including death, salvation, situational conundrums, the Civil War and the Old West (among ohers). As with any collection, there are some that stand out from the rest. While I definitely enjoyed the first act, the second act had some truly impressive moments ("Saving Starla", "Chasing Satan" and "Lift Me Up" being highlights). The nice thing about a show like this is its variety and its ability to offer a little something for everyone. I went to support a friend in the cast and came away surprised, and impressed with the entire production. "Urinetown" seems to be the "hot ticket" in town at the moment, but they're running for several more weeks. "9x9" closes this weekend, so if you enjoy seeing strong writing from local playwrights performed with a love of the material, check out "9x9" in Norcross this weekend! Note: if you choose to go on Saturday night (like I did last week) the show starts at 7:30, not 8:00 - don't show up late like I did -Rial |
| James Beck |
| A Christmas Carol, 2004 |
| James Beck |
| ASWP 07 First Draft reading with Working Title Playwrights |