Strong acting, and a truly memorable performance by the grandfather. Lighting was ideal. Director was very strong.

This will seem weird but it's worth seeing this play just to talk with the guy who sells the sodas, wine, etc. He is, I believe that theatre's artistic director and the son of the legendary acting coach, Jean Shelton. He is a remarkably knowledgeable, wise, kind, and sharing person. Go, buy a drink, and talk with the guy—he finds the time before the play and during intermission. (This play has 2 intermissions even though the running time is just a total of 2 hours.)

I feel I must be wrong to criticize the script. After all, it won a Pulitzer and is widely considered Shepard's best and boldest play. But for me, the metaphors, which are at the center of the play, did not create much impact on me: corn, carrots, and the outdoors as life, the home as a grave, even (PLOT SPOILER: SKIP TO THE NEXT PARAGRAPH IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE ENDING): unearthing the buried child.

And from a more global if mundane point of view, the play was only moderately entertaining and thought-provoking, whether about the dissolution of the American family or the indictment of capitalism.

The latter, of course, is the most common and overdone theme in Bay Area theatre, with the possible exception of plays screaming about how racist, sexist, and homophobic white males are (when in fact, I wuold argue that, on average, others treat straight white males more unfairly than they deserve.)

For a preview, this was an excellent performance. I know the play well and was excited to see it. Thought it was better than the ACT's Curse of the Starving Class. Acting was top notch. There were a few technical glitches, but that's to be expected at a preview. It will only get better. I'll probably see it again near the end of the run.

A very powerful play. Good to see especially in conjunction with the recent ACT performance of Curse of the Starving Class.