The New York Times - Somewhat Recommended
"By the time things turn dizzily theatrical, in a noir-style romp called 'The Dark Clothes of Night,' the audience is well primed. This delicious little play is the third of three one-acts, and it's the first that feels unmistakably like a work for the stage. Until then, the program is rather flat, particularly the first play, Idris Goodwin's 'Black Flag'...In 'Queen,' 'the director, Victor Slezak, gets nice performances out of the actors, but there's something inert about this genre piece."
Time Out New York - Somewhat Recommended
"Cram's 20-minute piece is the least substantial: an anodyne park-bench reunion scene...Neil LaBute's equally brief but more substantial ‘After the Wedding'...Tautly written, well acted and directed with cool assurance by Maria Mileaf, it delivers a quick and dirty jab...A. Rey Pamatmat's ‘This Is How It Ends'...Is a hot-messy mix of amorphous theology, outré humor and redemptive gay sex. It's at once too big and too small to satisfy, but the flavors are certainly bold."
CurtainUp - Somewhat Recommended
"In ‘The Helpers' despite naturalistic direction, the play attempts to move too far, too fast…In LaBute's 'After the Wedding' the dialogue here is typically fast and clever, with direction and acting to match…'This is How It Ends' stands in noted contrast...There's something intriguing about how out-there this play is...The cohesion between all three pieces feels rocky, and Series A totals up as an uneven collection, leaving you more weary of the one-act rather than energized by it. "
Talkin Broadway - Somewhat Recommended
"‘Black Flag': While the setup itself feels contrived, the play does a good job of exploring issues of racial insensitivity…The most tightly constructed, is ‘Queen'...This one ends ambiguously. But, really, the plot turn is less important than the well-honed portrait of disparate characters who come together through mutual loneliness and need…‘Dark Clothes': Filled with puns and sight gags that are often very funny, but it does drag on and eventually outstays its welcome, like a too-long SNL skit."
TheaterScene.net - Somewhat Recommended
"One of the advantages of one-act play festivals is that even if you don't like all of the offerings, you are certain to like at least one. Unfortunately, the three that make up 'Summer Shorts: Series A' are all a disappointment. This is particularly surprising considering one of the plays is by the usually reliable Neil LaBute. All of the new works in this evening seem like either pieces of longer plays yet to come or undeveloped ideas that have not been fleshed out."
Theatre Reviews Limited - Not Recommended
"In 'Black Flag' all three actors develop their characters with authenticity and, under Logan Vaughn's direction, bring Mr. Goodwin's script to a successful level of believability…'Queen' is a lightweight short play that never really makes it off the ground…In 'The Dark Clothes of Night' the film noire scenes are filled with period humor, double entendre, and enough sexism to last a lifetime. The whole endeavor seems endless and could be shortened by half."
Stage Buddy - Somewhat Recommended
"‘Black Flag:' Goodwin does a good job of unstitching several complicated rhetorical threads in a short amount of time...The play somehow lacks emotional thrust…‘Queen': Covers territory so well trodden it's nearly hackneyed...Lollar and Tuzzolo root the play with believably extreme emotions that lend it an air of gravity and tension…"Dark Clothes:' A complex, comedic and oddly moving send-up of film noir...Alfredo's script is too smart and too nutty to be predictable."
Front Row Center - Not Recommended
"LaBute's ‘After The Wedding' is a seductive and disturbing bit of sleight of hand…Labute's pen is still lethal and his aim true. The other two plays do not fare nearly as well…Burke and Dubliner do everything they can to keep ‘The Helpers' afloat, but it is not enough to keep our interest...In ‘This Is How It Ends' Mr. Pamatmat's writing rises to the level of an original high school play, and these actors carry out their duties as well as they can. Mr. Iskander's direction is no help."
Woman Around Town - Somewhat Recommended
"‘Dark Clothes': Without better balance, the point loses impact...The piece is entertaining though its ending feels obscure and/or unfinished…‘Black Flag': This piece lacks balance...What is written is well written...Director Logan Vaughn handles temper and drunkenness as well as natural dialogue...‘Queen': Director Victor Slezak might take more time with his leading lady, especially as Tuzzolo is so good. The show is well paced and visually effective."
Theatres Leiter Side - Somewhat Recommended
"The plays in Series A are Cusi Cram's ‘The Helpers,' Neil LaBute's ‘After the Wedding,' and A. Rey Pamatmat's ‘This Is How it Ends.' All are performed on Rebecca Lord-Surratt's elegantly simple unit set using translucent upstage screens that can form varying backgrounds. As the audience waits for the show to begin, a time-lapse film shows the construction of the set. Apart from LaBute's engrossing but flawed play, the video is the most fulfilling part of the production."
Bobs Theater Blog - Recommended
"‘Black Flag': The situation is a bit contrived...I credit the playwright for taking on a timely topic and giving it a nuanced presentation. The actors were convincing and the direction by Logan Vaughn was unfussy…‘Queen': I thought Ms. Lollar looked too young and pretty to be convincing as Queen. Director Victor Slezak let the play overheat at times…‘Dark Clothes': The dialogue is archly hilarious...The play falters a bit in its final moments, but not enough to dampen one's enjoyment."
Broadway World - Highly Recommended
"'The Helpers' is a bittersweet comedy about two captivating characters that shows how difficult it can be to embrace others. It is superbly written and wonderfully performed…In 'After the Wedding' the dialogue is completely compelling and seamlessly delivered...'This is How it Ends' is a well-staged, creative show that uses clever characterizations to develop its theme. The creative team has done a great job of bringing this fascinating variety of plays to the 59E59 stage."
