Personal Reviews: Seattle Performs

Sharp musical dialogue, brilliant casting of four actors on a hot plate of a set are just a few elements that make Sins of the Mother such an engaging piece of theatre by Harlequin Productions at the State Theatre in Olympia. Director Scot Whitney collaborated with world class playwright Israel Horovitz to produce this premiere work which I predict is destined for the New York stage. Set in Horovitz’s favorite small town of Gloucester, Massachusetts, this 75 minute play tells a riveting story of a handful of working men and the forced choices that change their lives. The production brilliantly captures the cadence and stark humor of these Gloucester lobstermen who could just as well been Puget Sound fishermen or unemployed loggers from Hoquiam. The ensemble of Scott C. Brown, David Nail, Zachariah Robinson and Brian Claudio Smith are uniformly outstanding with clean, economical direction by Scot Whitney and powerful fight choreography by Robert Macdougall. I encourage you to catch a performance before it closes on February 14.
--Marcus Walker
-Lakewood Playhouse


Sins of the Mother is one of the very best pieces of theatre that I have ever seen. I was completely blown away by the performances, the dialogue, the direction and was kept on the edge of my seat with the unexpected twists and turns within the script.
Israel Horovitz is an incredible playwright and it is a gift that he has brought his work to the lovely and always powerful Harlequin Productions Theatre. Harlequin is known for their superb work and challenging theatre. This show is definitely one of their best - and that is saying a lot since there has been so many brilliant works that birth from their stage! I am looking forward to seeing Sins of the Mother again before it closes and I suggest you do as well! You really need to make an extra effort to see this one. It is an "Art at its best" opportunity that you will not want to miss!
-Casi Wilkerson

Other Reviews:

News Tribune Review
"If you can afford only one play in a year, make it this one"

The Volcano Review
"The mix of emotions that span the show create a buffet of great theater moments."

Review by Becky Wood
"It’s not just an evening out, to see a play: it’s a life-changing experience."

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