"Lacks the driving coherence of Morisseau’s earlier work. But it confirms her reputation as a playwright of piercing eloquence. She bravely dives into the muddled shadows of social issues often presented in cold statistics and cleanly drawn graphs...'Pipeline' is more confused in its depiction of its characters’ confusions, and not every scene is equally resonant or convincing...Where the production excels is in portraying the bleak fatalism in which its characters appear to be steeped."
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"A play that sometimes suggests a dramatized essay...Only 85 minutes long, 'Pipeline' sometimes feels thin on elaboration, and not all of its scenes are effective...But in dealing with subjects overfreighted with the weight of representation, the play leaves admirable space for discussion...In a system clogged with rot, it’s encouraging to think that hope may be somewhere in the works."
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"With the smashing world premiere of 'Pipeline' Morisseau confirms her place in the sphere of writers not to be ignored…She has given every character genuine moments of grace with monologues that simply soar with specificity of circumstance and intensity of feeling…What’s most impressive, however, is the voice the playwright gives to the two young people...I believed every word they spoke and where it came from. That’s a rare achievement, indeed."
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"Karen Pittman is giving a sensational performance in the new play 'Pipeline'...Dominique Morisseau has written some quietly devastating social dramas on her way up, but now the playwright has definitely arrived with this emotionally harrowing, ethically ambiguous drama that raises barbed questions about class, race, parental duty, and the state of American education. Credit Lileana Blain-Cruz for the excellent tech work, as well as for the terrific ensemble work of a small, tight company."
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"Feels more like a sociology thesis than a play...The show has little dramatic urgency...While there are some powerful moments, 'Pipeline' overall fails to come to life...Morisseau seems to be reaching for a profundity that 'Pipeline' never attains. The stylistically awkward drama works best in its quieter, smaller moments...The ensemble delivers first-rate performances. But their efforts are not enough for 'Pipeline' to smack of little more than well-intentioned seriousness."
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"'Pipeline' is a riveting new drama by Dominique Morisseau that specifically deals with issues of race and education. But as great plays are wont to do, it paints a mirror that reflects on all of us...Wielding her pen as if a scalpel, she slices deeply to the core of each of her characters. And director Lileana Blain-Cruz stages the simple yet powerful production with expert finesse. It's hard to imagine a better ensemble."
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"Thorny debates within complex social structures are never lacking in Morisseau's work...The only pitfall is that the characters in 'Pipeline' take a backseat to the ideas they're there to present, giving the impression that we're hearing the voice of the playwright rather than her characters. However, it's hard to wish any of her monologues away— each one its own work of poetry...Blain-Cruz and her creative team lean into the lyricism of Morisseau's writing, even as plot starts to sputter."
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"With empathy and intelligence, Morisseau is able to get beneath the skin of her characters, give voice to their pain and rage, and breathe them fully into life...As the narrative unfolds in the 90-minute, intermissionless production, so well acted under Lileana Blain-Cruz' tension-filled direction, the play is just about flawless. The playwright is exceptionally adroit at peeling back layer after layer of meaning."
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