"Hyland’s writing is filled with authentic details that vividly realize her central character as well as subtly delineating the rest of the group...Hyland’s highly theatrical treatment infuses such a sadly familiar situation with dynamism as well as restrained sentimentality...With the plucky charm of the young Sandra Bullock, Julia Greer is captivating as the student playing Annie...Director Emma Miller’s exhilarating staging makes the series of vignettes on display quite compelling."
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"The performances are so natural and convincing that it’s easy to be persuaded that this is a devised piece based on personal experience and improvisation. But the play is masterfully scripted from the first curtain speech to the final number…Director Emma Miller guides the production gently without imposing extraneous staging that might disrupt the illusion…These are the fascinating, if somewhat macabre, questions that Hyland's sophisticated play is asking."
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"A sincere exploration of the pressing issue of domestic violence...although, theatrically, it tends to oversimplify and oversweeten its tale...Miller's cast brings high energy...to the production, and Hyland writes with compassion. But the play feels unfinished, making little use of the theatrical elements at its disposal...Hyland seems torn between artistic complexity and the desire to educate…Still, it's hard to fault a young company for tackling a difficult subject with spirit."
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"Hyland’s sensitive and thought-provoking drama is centered around the story of grief-stricken sorority sisters responding to the murder of one of their own...Nick moves from devoted boyfriend to obsessive and suspicious boyfriend to violent boyfriend. At this point, the play also becomes didactic...The play has the potential to be a powerful teaching tool for a very broad audience. All the ensemble cast members are (where appropriate) engaging, energetic, emotive, or enthusiastic."
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"The ensemble is well formed with a palpable team spirit...While at times repetitive and over-sustained, 'For Annie' is a successful foray into the world of domestic violence...The show well encapsulates the power and sensitivity of complex female characters. Above all, the playwright has created characters that can live, breathe, and communicate without pretense...With such pragmatic actresses under the direction of Emma Miller, 'For Annie' becomes a tale not to be missed."
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"Annie and Nick's story is typical in many ways, but its very typicality is what makes its telling important...The choice to present 'For Annie' as as play-within-a-play lends it dimension, and it is very successful in creating the reality of its frame...It isn't easy to realistically play non-professionals acting, but the cast pulls it off convincingly. The leads all give solid performances...The play does some interesting things around our experience of authenticity as audience members."
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