THEATRE REVIEWS || DIRECTING
CHARACTER ASSASSINS by CHARLIE SCHULMAN
NEW JERSEY REPERTORY COMPANY,
DIR. DANA BENNINGFIELD
“…a clever, likable production… extremely enjoyable…”
New York Times
“A good two-character play is hard to find” — but Character Assassins is one. …a solid, comic production… “
Character Assassins would soon run out of gas if it were just a polemic.
But Schulman and able director Dana Benningfield
purposely let the audience know they’re just having fun.”
The NJ Star-Ledger
Character Assassins… is a literate and clever piece, evoking Sleuth, Mamet, and all things dark and twisty in between. And it’s very funny. … Director Dana Benningfield keeps the play moving quickly and tightly, ratcheting up the suspense as the play moves toward what the characters, talking shop, praise as an inevitable
ending that is nonetheless surprising.”
nytheatre.com
“Director Dana Benningfield keeps everything moving along at a fast clip.”
Talkin’ Broadway
Character Assassins does for theatrical convention what the “Scream” movies did for slasher flicks… “
Character Assassins ultimately is all about the ride — and is, in the end, quite possibly critic-proof.”
Asbury Park Press
“…the dialogue is smart… The two actors are better than good…
Benningfield keeps the power-shifting in high gear throughout…”
Two River Times
A CHILD'S GUIDE TO INNOCENCE by VINCENT SESSA
PRODUCED BY NEW JERSEY REPERTORY COMPANY
DIR. DANA BENNINGFIELD
”A Child’s Guide to Innocence” by Vincent Sessa, is as delicate and nuanced a drama as you’ll find, its three actresses telling a sublime intergenerational tale beautifully.”
New York Times
“Dana Benningfield has directed smoothly, getting maximum mileage from the play.”
Talkin’ Broadway
“…a beautiful and touching play, designed to move and delight an audience. …wonderfully acted by Catherine Eaton, Corey Tazmania and Deborah Baum, and splendidly directed by Dana Benningfield. An actress herself, the director brings out the nuances of the characters as they re-live three days, but decades apart.
…highly recommended as an emotional and intellectual pleasure.”
The Link News
“Keenly acted and fluidly staged…
Director Dana Benningfield has governed
the action with clean pacing…”
Variety
“…a sweetly detailed… memory play by Vincent Sessa. Under the resourceful direction of Dana Benningfield, three actresses have the task of playing all the roles…” TheatreScene.net