The Pillowman

The reviews are in.

“ Frank Theatre’s production, staged in the Guthrie Theater’s Dowling Studio, is gilded with some glittering performances …Luverne Seifert and Chris Carlson log excellent, evocative work as a pair of police detectives who use torture, beatings and executions like the rest of us use ketchup.

“Leering and leaning in menacingly to his conversations, the clench-jawed Carlson prowls around Joel Sass’ dulled steel container of a set, looking like the kind of damaged goods that could explode at any second. The crew-cutted, bespectacled Seifert is calmer; his sardonic grin is as much as part of his authority as his badge and his gun. Together, they both capture and explode the stereotypes of the good cop/bad cop pair.

“Grant Richey is heartbreaking and true and terrifying as Katurian’s developmentally disabled brother, Michal. Less is more in these kinds of roles, and Richey – his head brought slightly forward, his eyes not quite vacant, his grin eerily easy – strikes the balance perfectly in a role that garners both chuckles and gasps…” –Dominic Papatola, PioneerPress, http://www.twincities.com/ci_6980290?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com&nclick_check=1

“Frank Theatre director Wendy Knox often tackles projects that are long on spectacle and short on plot, but The Pillowman is precisely the opposite—a taut, well-acted play that fits the Guthrie’s Dowling Studio space perfectly. In lead roles, both Lichtscheidl and Seifert turn in bravura performances—particularly Seifert, whose unnerving but hilarious detective Tupolski keeps things off balance just enough to creep you out while you’re laughing at everything he says.

“Appearing in the Guthrie’s Dowling Studio is an important step up for Frank Theatre, which often has to make do with makeshift spaces—such as abandoned grain factories—that aren’t exactly ideal for theater. The artistic stamp of approval on Frank’s work is well-deserved, and in The Pillowman those who haven’t experienced Frank in action have an excellent opportunity to see why Knox is one of the most versatile, interesting directors around. She just knows how to make a play work—and my advice is to get over to the Guthrie and let her work work on you.” –Tad Simons, MplsStPaul magazine, http://msp.blogs.com/themorningafter/2007/09/92107-the-pillo.html