Reviews for Capital T Theatre Performances
Review: The Motherfucker with the Hat by Capital T Theatre
by Michael Meigs
Published on August 20, 2013
The conclusion of the action is logical, very nearly inevitable, and arises directly from Jackie's inner flaws -- qualities and outcome that correspond very closely to the Aristotelian criteria for tragedy.
Let's get right down to that title. The expletive noun is one of the most offensive combinations in the English language, and many of us get a sharp visceral twinge seeing it used in the title of Guirgis's play. The noun and variants of its subsidiary combinant verb are also among the most common oral expressions in the English language, especially in American parlance. Words are powerful, especially when they evoke taboos. Publications and …
Review: The Motherfucker with the Hat by Capital T Theatre
by David Glen Robinson
Published on August 20, 2013
“Love conquers all” is the phrase for Jackie --and it certainly conquered him.
Capital T Theatre’s production of The Motherfucker with the Hat (TMFWTH) by Stephen Adly Guirgis fairly screamed “exploitation!” in its promise -- or rather, warning -- of foul language and nudity. As usual , the reality escaped the hype in unpredictable ways. TMFWTH was a far more serious play than its unfortunate title suggested. The story of TMFWTH was fairly direct. Jackie (J. Ben Wolfe) comes home to the apartment he shared with his love, Veronica …
Review: Gruesome Playground Injuries by Capital T Theatre
by Michael Meigs
Published on February 06, 2013
Gruesome Playground Injuries is a despondent little comedy. By the final scene, Doug's a moody man, confined to a wheelchair and half-blind; Kayleen's a psychic wreck who still doesn't understand why the two are inseparable despite the distances between them.
Rajiv Joseph's collection of two-character scenettes for Gruesome Playground Injuries appeals to the young and restless. Students at Texas State did it last semester, and Capital T confided it to Kelsey Kling via their New Directors Program for presentation at the FronteraFest Long Fringe. Many audience members at both venues can identify strongly with this pair of awkward losers. They're searching for something, but they don't know what it is. Doug and Kayleen first become aware …
Review: The Pain and the Itch by Capital T Theatre
by Michael Meigs
Published on November 05, 2012
Norris writes with a scalpel whetted to such a fine edge that at first one doesn't realize the depth and damage of his adroit strokes as he dissects the bland, blind conceits of this all-American family.
Mark Pickell has an eye for mordant black humor, so Capital T's productions fit perfectly into Ken Webster's Hyde Park Theatre -- both into that odd and intimate space and into the ironic, brash, better-than-hip ethos of the place. If you like Ken's stuff, you'll love Mark's. And a further lure: the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago has premiered the last seven works of this playwright. Bruce Norris' savage deadpan flaying of the earnest American …
Review: Precious Little Talent by Capital T Theatre
by Michael Meigs
Published on February 06, 2012
Precious Little Talent is a charmer and would make a fine "date night."
Capital T Theatre does a graceful and unexpected waltz step with Ella Hickson's Precious Little Talent. Mark Pickell and friends at Capital T have established a strong, edgy style in their stagings, one that fits very well with the karma of their frequent host venue the Hyde Park Theatre. They've presented works by such as Tracy Letts, Sam Shepard, Mickle Maher, Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, David Shinn -- stories of trailer trash, down-and-outers, eccentrics and the lonely …
Review: Spirits to Enforce by Capital T Theatre
by Michael Meigs
Published on January 26, 2011
And just about the time that we begin to understand that they're seeking this money for a theatrical production, for chrissakes, The Pleaser makes the big step: he offers to reveal to the prospective patron on the other end of the line his Secret Identity!!
With 12 superheroes on stage, who ya gonna call? I picked over the suite of portraits at Capital T Theatre's website and I was seriously tempted by blonde Jenny Gravenstein with the come-hither eyes as The Page, particularly since Capital T is using her for one of its promo posters. That would be a sexist indulgence in fantasy, though, so I settled on Austin newcomer Jay Fraley, who mans the central slot at the phone bank …