"That’s probably too much to be going on at once — an emotional perfect storm. But Worsham makes sense of it with an energetic production that’s lucid even in scenes of chaos, which she balances with slowed-down moments of intimacy and quietly concentrated monologues...The cast is gorgeous, and Siebers reveals an Anna more compassionate than we might have thought...Worsham deftly ensures that there’s nothing cloying or condescending to the Asperger’s elements."
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"'Agnes' has just the right balance of drama and humor...While the show is a fascinating depiction of relationships, it also reveals a lot about Aspergers Syndrome and how people strive to make connections...This accomplished troupe of actors is ideal together. The portrayal of their characters is real and relatable. You will feel like you are right in an apartment with them as they grapple with issues and desires...A very entertaining show that has significant messaging."
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"McMullen treats these conflicts with a distinctively off-angle sense of humor, which goes a long way toward winning us over...Each of the play's laugh lines is packed with little truths; McMullen never trivializes a character for an easy gag...The script has its occasional weaknesses...More often, however, the writing has an understated beauty...Jenna Worsham's sure-handed direction, deftly balancing humor and heartbreak, results in a quintet of fine performances."
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"A thoroughly engaging production that shows McMullen to be a writer with a great ear for dialog and the ability to create quirky yet genuinely believable and appealing characters...McMullen, the playwright does an especially fine job of setting things up and letting the chips fall as they may...Director Jenna Worsham has done a fine job in creating a strong ensemble feel to the performances that is well suited to the small theater space."
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"As McMullen hammers home repeatedly, 'Agnes' is about the difficulty of forming human connections, but, for the most part, she hasn't written characters who should connect, because they're either too solipsistic or paper thin. Occasionally, she'll slip in a tragic detail to encourage the audience to see a character in a better light, but it's usually so overtly manipulative that it ends up undermining the intended effect."
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“This compelling drama about emotional connection is thoroughly engrossing from start to finish...While some of the plot turns might be well suited for a steamy soap opera...McMullen explores the characters’ inner motivations and how desire and the need to love and be loved can go awry. While the production initially is heavy on jokes, it soon becomes focused on heavy conflict as truths are revealed...Each member of ‘Agnes’’ cast meets the challenge of their character's emotional journey.”
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“McMullen is a ninja—sharp, quick, crafting funny incisive dialogue. The possibility of edgy insecurity always lingers. I found myself squirming uncomfortably, laughing and feeling an at-home familiarity all at once...The actors are uniformly excellent....And as the playwright gets closer and closer to the bone, the characters become even more riveting...A finely written play about five human beings...A production of compelling depth and compassion."
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"'Agnes,' as directed with a clear eye on the barometric pressure by a playful Jenna Worsham, rises above the winds and waters...Trapped together against a storm, they all float around bumping and jumping into one another, discovering just how difficult it is to understand the people you love and are connected with...The actors are beautifully focused and on target with the complications presented...You’ll be moved and enlightened."
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