"There is a certain elegance to Ms. Coonrod’s decision to let audience members flex their imaginations...But as it is, the revelatory repast feels undercooked...Some of the scenes also fall flat, as when the ensemble vocalizes sound effects while Babette prepares her feast...The feast is about destiny and art, and the joy of living in the now rather than sacrificing for the hereafter...The show tries valiantly to suggest all this, but alas, does not quite succeed."
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"Coonrod charts a radically different course in her production, with presentational ensemble acting reminiscent of commedia dell'arte, Brecht, and (most distressingly) children's pantomime. That tack may have seemed appropriate for a story front-loaded with exposition...Unfortunately, this story about the bonds that can be forged (or rekindled) over a great meal is hard to grasp when everyone is holding their characters at arm's length. The form just doesn't fit the content."
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"A distinctly theatrical dish...It may not be to everyone's taste...Presented in classic story-theatre style, with each member of the company stepping forward to relate part of the narrative...There are several sequences of stylized movement. All of this is executed with precision...A loving and faithful rendition of the original story...This production's overtly theatrical storytelling devices collide with Dinesen's story, with a slightly coarsening effect."
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"Employing a range of story-theatre techniques and hewing closely to Dinesen's short story, the production offers a gentle reminder of a shared humanity in our own trying times...The outstanding nine-person ensemble makes one almost forget the excellent film adaption...The play feels a tad overcooked, particularly in some of the earlier sections. Still, there is much to savor from the performances under Karin Coonrod's resourceful and often highly inventive direction."
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"Like the original story, the stage adaptation of Dinesen's 'Babette's Feast' is one of grace and renewal. While it is demanding and challenging in the way that theater used to be before expensive sets and costumes left nothing to the imagination, its rewards are great. Directed by Karin Coonrod, the nine member cast turns this into a magical theatrical presentation that you will not soon forget."
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"Nearly as simple and spare as the lives of the fanatical sectarians in Dinesen's story...The playwrights have elected to steer clear of realism and any semblance of the visual extravagance associated with Axel's film...While 'Babette's Feast' has a number of highly dramatic moments, the playwrights' reverence for Dinesen's words has led them merely to tell much of the story, using descriptive passages from the original, rather than really staging it."
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"Rose Courtney's amiable stage adaptation [of] 'Babette's Feast' is rife with religiously oriented themes-guilt, suffering, resignation, vanity, mercy, and the like-but their emotional impact tends to be vitiated by the performance style, which dominates the experience. While some may come away moved, others will remember the production mainly for the tang of its presentation. Either way, there's much to be digested from this hour and a half of artistically tasteful gastro-drama."
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"The dramatic adaption is particularly well cast, with nine actors in total...The limited troupe benefits the play in permitting things to flow quite smoothly...Courtney is to be praised for the succinct script that stays true to the essence of the original short story...Direction by Coonrod is impressive...Overall, the play is short, sweet, and endearing. The creative team’s unflinching efforts pay off, and to view the show is an experience worth having."
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