Posted by Cheryl Longinotti
Feb 3, 2010

Review: A family drama revolving around 9/11 and torture? I must admit I came to the theater with low expectations. Sharr White and MTC succeeded well beyond any reasonable measure. The story unfolds on several levels (family dynamics, political ideology, loyalty and love) and is punctuated by sharp humor and dialogue. Thank you, MTC, for allowing your audience the privilege of seeing the premier of this work.

Posted by: CJR
On 1/31/10

Review: My husband I enjoyed the play Sunlight. Apart from a slightly slow start, we liked the way the plot details were revealed bit by bit. All of the actors were very good. I don’t usually pay attention to sets one way or another but I loved this one. Most impressive, the playwright did a remarkable job of showing both sides of a very controversial issue.

Posted by Katie
September 22, 2009

Review: The play was captivating from start to finish. The characters were so well portrayed and so completely believable and engrossing. I couldn’t believe how many lines the actors had memorized, and how perfectly delivered they were, even in previews. The story was good, building steadily to a stunning climax, the staging of which was truly a moment of great theater. I found myself in tears at the end, and I thought to myself this is a performance I want to give a standing ovation for, and I don’t give standing ovations easily. Everyone around me must have felt the same way, as the audience rose unanimously and applauded. I’ve never seen an audience do that at MTC, in many years of attending. What a great play!

Posted by Judy
September 20, 2009

Review: WOW! What a performance. The subject matter was universal: the struggle between what is expected of us and the need to be who we are. The three actors were outstanding, but the young lead who plays Asher was absolutely incredible. Hats off to MTC, this is the best play I have seen there in years!

Posted by Barbara
September 18, 2009

Review: Must See!

On 9/13, I saw a preview of My Name is Asher Lev.

From beginning to end, without an intermission, I was mesmerized by this play & the outstanding actors. The family dynamics & intense struggles between Asher Lev & his religious family are a universal theme. One need not be Jewish to feel the depth of emotion felt by each family member as we connect with them through Asher Lev’s early years & into young adulthood.

Don’t miss an extraordinary, live theater experience. You, too, will tell your friends to be sure to get their tickets immediately!

Posted by Risa Meyer
September 17, 2009

Review: My Name is Asher Lev is spellbinding. It was an extraordinary combination of acting, script, direction, and delivery.

Do not miss this show, because these words don’t even do it justice.

Posted by Geoff
September 17, 2009

Review: A slightly out of date story about the conflicts of religion, growing up, and pursuits in the world of art…. the scripting is oddly stilted, without any real engagement between the actors.. they appear merely to be reading, rather than interacting. Consequently, there is no real emotional tension with an appropriate climax and resolution. The set carries this oddly distanced approach forward, built areound a large rough wood star of David. there is never a sense that this is a real story, about real people.
The acting is very good….although the Asher Lev actor is a bit contemporary for this piece…he feels lost somewhere between a contemporary character in a very dated situation.

All in all, entertaining, but not satisfying.

Posted by Gerry Goldsholle (MTC Board Member)
September 17, 2009

Review: Peter Stadlen, the actor playing the title character Asher Lev, put on one of the most incredible performances I have had the pleasure of seeing in person.

Stadlen’s portrayal of Lev over a period of 20 years – first as as a young boy, then a youth, then as an adolescent and finally as a young – was a masterful. You not only could feel the character’s anguish but see the sweat.

In decades of attending live theater I can recall only 3 other equally memorable performances. And Mr. Stadlen is in very good company as two of the performances were by Sir Ian McKellen (one as Richard III in San Francisco and the other as King Lear in Stratford-on-Avon) and the third was by George C. Scott as Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman at Circle in the Square in New York in the 1970s.

Bravo!!!!

Posted by Nanette & Bill:
September 16, 2009

Review: We’re long-time theater goers, and MTC supporters. We have to say that “My Name is Asher Lev” is, on a scale of 1 – 10 (low to high), it’s an absolute 10! One of the best plays we’ve ever seen, both the story, the production and the terrific acting. It was absolutely riveting, and the best description of the passion of an artist we’ve ever heard.

All of the acting was superb; the lead actor portraying Asher, was extraordinarily effective – playing the role of a child to a young man brilliantly and with such passion and nuance.

Bravo to all that participated in this production…….we’re sure to tell all of our friends

Posted by Lola Safer
September 14, 2009

Review: “My Name is Asher Lev” is an intense and thoughtful play true to the book. Peter Stadlen, who plays Asher Lev, does a remarkable job metamorphing on stage from a 6 year old to a successful artist over the objections of his Hasidic parents and community. Great production.