"Squires's writing is at times excellent, with some compelling scenes of dialogue, especially those in which two characters speak from the heart. And these scenes are helped by some strong acting...Yet the script is also where the show struggles—there is a lack of nuance in character and arguments...While I think 'A Blanket of Dust' raises topical questions for our current political world, it lacks some subtlety, which left me feeling a little spoon-fed."
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"Squires’ drama fails to make a cogent case for its hypothesis. It rambles, repeats, and even contradicts itself. Starts on a strong dramatic note...Murrah’s direction is cohesive, but cohesion is hardly enough to make this drama work. The play’s seriousness and misguided idealism weigh heavy. Fraser’s Vanessa and Andrew’s fleeting whimsy are the only hints of levity, and they’re just not enough to deflate 'A Blanket of Dust’s' self-importance."
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“Under Murrah’s deft direction, Pierce leads a brilliant ensemble cast whose intricate conflicts drive a mysterious and often challenging plot with enough twists and turns to keep the audience members in suspense and keenly aware of their own political commitments and doubts. Each member of the cast stands out in delivering multi-layered, authentic, and believable performances...Be prepared to have...opinions questioned and loyalties deeply challenged.”
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"Apart from the play's first few minutes, the poignancy of that proximity quickly fades as the action devolves into an implausible drama based on a questionable argument and filled with sturm und drang…Once the…central question is established, it fails to develop in a sufficiently compelling way, going over and over the same thing...Andrew and Diane's fates seem more like dramatic contrivances than organic necessities, making it impossible to either sympathize with or condone their choices."
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"While I’m personally not a believer in the conspiracy theories that are delved into in this play, I do admire the way in which it deals with topics of government corruption and suppression of free speech...I felt a piece like this deserved a stronger ensemble. Not that it’s the worst I’ve seen, but still, I couldn’t help but leave the theater feeling rather underwhelmed...I think this play still deserves to be seen by theatergoers, due to the conversation it’s bound to spark among audience members."
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“Squires keeps his script lean...The characters have no identity aside from their attitudes toward the issue, aside from the sketchy romance. There’s no particularization...Unfortunately, this style makes the play less a drama than a mere argument...The director, Christopher Murrah, has picked up on the polemic and directed his actors to YELL in nearly every scene...We soon grow tired of this - worse, annoyed.”
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