“Although Stuart’s performance is charming and warm, West can only be enigmatic for so long before we begin to wonder about his own story—which, frustratingly, we never learn. Some of what he says offers hints at the man behind the voice. In the end, though, one can’t help wishing that West would put down the microphone for a second and talk with us, or anyone, face to face.”
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"Jeremy Stuart’s quirky creation is a treat for anyone and everyone who enjoys a good radio show or could use a little help from a modern-age guardian angel like Harland West. In a world where theatre is dominated by large ensembles and massive budgets, 'First Time, Long Time' serves as a reminder that one man onstage, committed to his humble job, is more than enough to qualify as a fantastic evening of theatre and storytelling."
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"Stuart's writing is rich and vivid, and thus the piece is highly effective at what it sets out to accomplish. His portrayal of West is compelling, a portrait of cool detachment. Expert voice work by Amanda Byron and Robert Sherrane, as all of the offstage callers, fills out the play masterfully...Perhaps more than anything else, this play reminds us of the power of storytelling to provoke, engage, and jolt."
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