“The last scenes of this somewhat meandering play are brilliant…Once this play really wakes up, it becomes risky. And these actors are up for that. There is an inconsistent level of performance but the actors make a journey together that’s emotionally touching when it counts…The director Terry Schreiber deserves kudos for fulfilling the slowly developing gift of this play and for guiding his actors on this surprisingly funny and rocky road.”
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"The eight-scene structure provides a wonderful framework within which the play examines a long-term relationship...However, some of the simpler moments the play explores, while lovely and insightful, don’t provide enough conflict to sustain the play’s lengthier run time. This is in part because the play’s conflicts are largely internal. The performances, directed by Terry Schreiber, thus become key in bringing out the unsaid conflicts."
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"It’s difficult to sit through a 2½-hour play disliking the protagonist. Nor does it help that Loren Bidner delivers a one-note portrayal of the exasperating young man. Unfortunately, he’s not alone. I’ve seen some first-rate productions at T. Schreiber. This one is not well cast...Terry Schreiber’s direction is uneven...Many of the actors don’t listen to one another...While 'Loose Ends' rings true to its era, why a revival now?"
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"Weller’s drama has to be more than trying to choose between a family or career during the '70s. Yet the depth of their problems, and even their backstories, are never entirely explored...The climaxes do not lead to powerful payoffs but more or less take the characters back to where they originally started...Various undeveloped characters arbitrarily show up, lending a viewer hope that they will move the story forward or eventually reappear. But they are used only as short-lived comic relief."
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"The script still feels fresh with clever dialogue...The supporting cast was also marvelous...It was with them that the heart of the show beat. On the other hand, the two main characters portrayed by Bidner and Vink, are not the type of people you feel inclined to cheer for. It doesn’t help that both actors give us one-dimensional performances...The production is also hurt by long transitions...While the play seemed perfect for the times, I don’t see the point of a revival today."
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