"Rich Orloff calls his 'Chatting With the Tea Party' a 'documentary-style play,' but it’s also a personal-journey play, which is what saves it from being either too dry or too smarmy...Much of it you’ve heard before or can imagine, and the acting, under Lynnette Barkley’s direction, isn’t as effortless as it needs to be. But Rich’s reactions to what he’s hearing are illuminating."
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"Wolf is an agreeable narrator with an infectious curiosity...While Rich is the central and only recurring character in the play, three other actors all play at least a handful of different roles each…The challenge here is that none of these roles ever progress past surface level, and thus very little character development or empathy is within reach. That being said, director Lynnette Barkley is particular about distinction, and as a result none of the additional characters feel extraneous or unremarkable."
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"A thoughtful and earnest exploration of the opinions of Tea Party members...A sincere attempt by the playwright to understand, not condemn, people whose opinions differ from his own...The sweeping conclusion is that Tea Party members are just people too. While I appreciate this ostensibly open-minded sentiment, I find it a bit simplistic."
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"Orloff hits on the multifaceted nature of people, who can be outrageously crazy and narrow-minded but also surprisingly kind, well-spoken and passionate about their ideals...Hopefully, 'Chatting with the Tea Party' is one way to start a dialogue, maybe even with someone you think is your enemy."
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"What makes 'Chatting with the Tea Party' so engaging is Orloff's reach across the divide. He has made a civilized attempt to discover why certain Americans feel the way they do...America is a big country, and Orloff has assembled a series of voices that illustrate not only our differences, but our shared humanity."
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"One of the best scripts of the season, Broadway or Off. The action, directed by Lynette Barkley, keeps us engaged as the skilled actors walk in and out of personas. Orloff has the gift of slick writing, so the many elements are anchored (often with some sharp humor) and paint quick vivid images of the characters without relying on stereotype."
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"What Rich Orloff, the playwright, does not understand is that all people of all ideological perspectives develop their opinions on the issues based on their own individual principles, values, and priorities, whether or not they have thought them through...While the playwright's smug, leftist, superior attitude may annoy you throughout the play, the actual interviews will provide you with a variety of perspectives held by Tea Party leaders. 'Chatting' is informative and insightful!"
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"Director Lynnette Barkley keeps the show moving briskly and makes economical use of slide projections and lighting changes to suggest myriad locales...The ensemble morph into a rich array of concerned Americans...At times comic, often moving, 'Chatting' offers no solutions. But it does affirm that it is not only possible but necessary, to reach across the aisle and find common ground. If our politicians won’t do it, then we, the people must make the first move."
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