This is a play about actors performing a play about actors performing ... so let's talk about the acting. When John Turturro directs, I have come to expect a certain sophisticated styling that teases out each actor's innate gifts. Of course, every actor brings to the table his or her strengths as well as weaknesses. And that's exactly what you see in a Turturro production: flaws and all. This is not always a good thing. A good director would help his cast find a unifying tone for each collaboration, help his actors cut away the fat and concentrate on telling a good story in a compelling way. Fortunately for us (and for Mr. Turturro), his cast is made up of some of the finest actors around, specifically Zoe Caldwell and Linda Emond. But unfortunately, Dennis O'Hare is also in the cast and he is permitted to perform his role in that epileptic style that worked well in "Take Me Out," but here just doesn't, and Larry Pine lectures his lines in bulletpoint succession. But, I do want to see the lovely Katherine Borowitz in something else very soon. A better play, perhaps? Note to Reza: Pirandello already wrote it.
