Pete Rex

"Ingeniously melds modern and prehistoric themes. This is an affecting, yet entertaining show that features creative staging and an excellent cast...Captivating and sometimes bizarre...an insightful story about survival and the fragility of humankind...The three actors master their roles as they depict very authentic relationships along with the tale's humor and lively action-packed scenes...One-of-a-kind theatrical event...Compliments all around on this inventive production." Full Review

"Intentionally ridiculous, a mass of B science-fiction movie tropes...That the premise of 'Pete Rex' is purposely absurd doesn't prevent it from becoming tiresome...There's a fatal disconnect with the real world; even in a glorified comedy sketch like this...Thompson tries to drag in a bevy of serious issues...but such tactics are simply too little, too late...Careens from one tone to another, leaving it to the cast to handle the plot's neck-snapping emotional turns." Full Review

“'Pete Rex'…is best when capturing the essence of innocuous bro talk; it's not enough, however, to make the play funny or likable enough. The actors show talent but there's little they can do to help us appreciate the play's differing levels of satire and reality. The situation is so exaggerated, the characters so unpleasant…, the setting so unsavory, and the humor so sophomoric, one spends more time wondering what Thompson is getting at than enjoying what he's wrought.” Full Review

"The whole show is a metaphor for man's inner feelings and how he has not progressed much...The actors are all well cast with Winheld extremely amusing as the T-Rex. Sadly Act Two is not as clever as Act One's straightforwardness. It becomes too psychological and it almost seems as if we are watching two different plays. Also the characters are not made likable so it is hard to care...Thompson is a playwright to watch, but he needs some more nurturing." Full Review

“Stultifying on every narrative level…The twist ending can be seen for miles and definitely does nothing to redeem what has come before…Mr. Thompson peppers his tiresome and unsatisfying scenario with attempted Neil Simon-style stylings that flit by with little effect…The strident performances suit the material…Its stale romantic drama elements combined with its flippant science fiction premise make ‘Pete Rex’ a labored and pointless exercise.” Full Review

.“Unpolished yet intriguing…Be warned: before you get to the intriguing part, you will need to suspend your disbelief for a long time…After intermission, things start to make a kind of absurdist sense...The most creative element is Winheld's gloriously outlandish and absolutely committed performance as the upper crust British-speaking T-Rex…‘Pete Rex’ does need tightening...But the playwright is on to something here with his examination of a psychological crisis.” Full Review

"A cartoon bolstered by thoughtful undertones, 'Pete Rex' is scarcely a polished comedy. The psychological issues encumbering Pete could be better-defined. The mundane language could be brighter. The humor could be sharper...Still, it's an original story that plays out well enough under the direction of Raimondo, who shifts the tale's gears neatly...The actors provide agreeable performances...An amusing consideration of the monsters that dwell inside all of us." Full Review

"It's difficult to sympathize with Pete, whose videogame addiction seems more like a syndrome of a lazy mind than depression...But thankfully, Alexander V. Thompson chooses to dress up Pete’s inner conflict in something truly spectacular, namely a very polite and extravagant looking Tyrannosaurus...The seamless transition between different genres is 'Pete Rex’s' greatest asset and a rewarding source of surprises." Full Review

"The play’s symbolism becomes so obvious that anyone who’s skimmed a Wikipedia article on Sigmund Freud might feel qualified to diagnose Pete’s ills...The allegorical components of the play prove to be moderately interesting. What is most wonderful about 'Pete Rex' is Thompson’s creation of the nasty creature that breaks out of its shell in Act 2...'Pete Rex' may be a slight play, but it’s well constructed, thoughtful, and amusing." Full Review

"Carere, Winheld, and Sowain play the trio...If there are any faults to their performances it might be that they don't appear to be quite as affected by events and actions as one would expect...The overall feel of the first act is a little like a funnier and significantly less bloody 'Dawn of the Dead'...Has a great sense of humor and a solid heart. Where the cracks start to show is in defining the main plot device in the second act." Full Review

"Features the classic fictional clash between man and dinosaur - but not quite as it's ever been done before...Winheld's performance is nothing short of delightful...The suspense of this play, and its unpredictable twists and turns like an erratic roller coaster, are perhaps its best quality. But despite the sometimes-strained dialogue, the strength of the story's characters is its real substance anyway." Full Review

"Opening with a video projection of a primitive homo sapiens battling a dinosaur, this inventive play explores man's inner feelings, showing how our species hasn't progressed much over the eons...The authentic presence of these giant, primal reptiles is established by eerie shadows...Written by Thompson and directed by Raimondo, it's an existential, absurdist comedy, a Dreamscape Theatre premiere that provides plenty of surprises, becoming an intriguing, if immature diversion." Full Review

"The mood here is Jurassic-level emotional drama...Thompson’s play covers much territory from man child relationships to crisis management to jealousy to mental stability. The cast is game and the director reasonably steers an overabundance of styles including melodrama, absurdity, comedy, horror, ridiculousness, and poignancy. That’s a lot to handle and 'Pete Rex' cannot survive the onslaught. A nicely written ending wraps up a serious yet wildly overcooked play." Full Review