New Jewish Theatre
The invisibly impeccable
direction by Doug Finlayson transforms the play into a tapestry that is woven
by three remarkable performances from three veteran actresses. Kat Singleton is
Eva as the adult Evelyn, a woman whose unreconciled past is made manifest by an
almost eerie calm. Margeau Baue Steinau is the German mother who must send her
uncomprehending daughter away. There is enormous empathy for a woman who knows
so much more than she is able to share. Kari Ely is the adoptive mother in
England, whose life is also about to be irrevocably changed. RIVERFRONT TIMES
The theater is the perfect medium for drama, and the New Jewish Theater's tiny basement space adds a high gloss. Doug Finlayson's splendid direction, on point throughout and as stylish as a Rembrandt in Dunsi Dai's perfect frame of a set, keeps the drama in bright focus, and the actors execute in a manner that clamps the audience into its seats. Joe Pollack, KWMU
At first, the play comes off as subtle, another take on the Holocaust from the perspective of someone who escaped early. But it transmogrifies to a tale of survivor’s guilt, identity and the psychic toll that a war can have even on those who were not physically harmed by it. Much of this is accomplished by contrasting scenes set in the 40s with scenes set in the 80s as an adult Eva (now Evelyn) is confronted by her college-aged daughter with whom she has never discussed her German childhood. Director Doug Finlayson and lighting designer Glenn Dunn do an excellent job of combining and juxtaposing the present and the past, never allowing the audience to become disoriented as to where or when we are. VITAL VOICE
The 3/4 round stage is small, and I was impressed with Dunsi Dai's set and Glenn Dunn's lighting which not only gave the impression of a crowded attic room for the present-day action but also defined the spaces for the flash-backs which take place in the same space, sometimes at the same time. Doug Finlayson's direction kept the action clean and helped tie the vignettes together into a moving whole. Robin Weatherall's sound design is also worthy of mention.
Under the careful direction of Doug Finlayson, the stellar cast compels its audience to reflect upon the lingering psychological effects of the induced separation of families who often never reunited. Finlayson’s players effectively convey the moments in time on Dunsi Dai’s tidy set, which epitomizes the claustrophobic attic where Evelyn’s forbidden memories are stored. LADUE NEWS
Director Doug Finlayson draws compact performances from Kat Singleton and Meg Rodd as Evelyn/Eva. Margeau Baue Steinau as her mother, Kari Ely as her foster mother and Emily Piro as her daughter all add warmth to the drama (a warmth that Evelyn/Eva, in her anxiety, doesn't permit herself). John Flack deftly juggles a series of small characters, both realistic and imaginary. ST. LOUS POST DISPATCH