Lewiston/Clarkston

See it if 20 y.o.'s go on a treacherous emotional journey in harsh Idaho, seeking their identity and a viable future. Intense multilayered drama.

Don't see it if You are not up for an intimate confrontational experience with suffering characters. 3+ hrs in uncomfortable seats.

See it if Hunter's masterful diptych of small town rural life in western Idaho (his regional muse) Haunting & evocative w/mythic overtones Superb cast

Don't see it if Rattlestick's 'conceptual' union of the two works is a bit clunky but can't harm empathic, Chekhovian quality of dramas Long but rewarding

See it if you would like to see 2 heartfelt plays from an important young voice in the theater, beautifully played by 6 actors who give their all.

Don't see it if the prospect of sitting through 2 full-length plays, separated by a half-hour dinner break, is daunting to you.

Also I’m glad I saw both plays that make up the full evening “LEWISTON/CLARKSTON.” Scene after scene, playwright Sam Hunter sets up simple everyday situations that in just a few strokes are probing the human heart so deeply it almost hurts (& sometimes does). But I wish I’d seen the plays separately, the better to digest them. I felt that the situation in “LEWISTON,” a beautifully played, acutely observed study of 3 characters, resolves itself a bit too easily given what we’ve seen. “CLARKSTON,” fully devastating, fully earns its hopeful ending. On a personal note: I’m a gay man who recently retired. I (mostly) came to terms with my sexuality & how society treats me long ago. Each play here has gay male characters, middle-aged & young adult. 2 have experienced deep trauma wrestling with their desires in an unaccepting environment. Each touched me deeply. And the searing pain so palpably felt by the younger man in “CLARKSTON” was hard to sit through. But I feel richer for having to.... Read more Read less

See it if Ancestors of Lewis & Clark Expedition confront their alienation as did their forebearers in the America they cite for their malaise. Spartan

Don't see it if Chekov meets Dogma 95 film-style. At 3.5hrs. plot & character had better be developed, & they aren't. Folding chairs & bad grub aren't cool.

Also Having broken bread together does achieve desired effect. Griffin appeared in Woody Allen's "Interiors," a work that is also, similarly, Chekovian.... Read more Read less

See it if 1st play beautiful rumination about how hard it is 2 return to rural roots, 2nd harrowing study of rural dysfunction; fine acting

Don't see it if you expect 2 see plays focusing on Lewis & Clark & their trip, rather than riffs on the trip; in slim 1st play key problems left unresolved

Also There are certain similarities between the two plays which deal w damaged individuals and fractured families in rural territories that L&C visited. Both set on July 4 touch on L&C's journey, Lewiston through a tape recording, Clarkston in L&C's journals being read out loud. Nonetheless, the contrasting endings of each of the plays are revealing: Lewiston features an Indep. Day fireworks display as an empty and ritualized nod to the past. Clarkston has two damaged boys arrive at a blinding view of the Pacific Ocean, seen by them for the first time. Echoing the awe felt by L&C at their first view of the Pacific, this ending suggests that wonder and hope are possible even today when there are seemingly no new lands to explore.... Read more Read less

See it if Incredible acting -- riveting. So personal and intense. Both plays were engrossing and v. emotional.

Don't see it if You don't like sitting in a theater for a long time. Seeing both plays in one sitting is long. I'd actually rather have seen them separately

Also I really was amazed by the writing and acting in each play. All the actors were excellent. Thoroughly believable and natural. Being in such an intimate theater, right there with them, made the experience very intense. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys wonderful acting in an intimate, dramatic experience. But is not for someone who wants the big NYC Broadway experience. it is not that!... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see two completely different plays in one night by the same author. Both are brilliant

Don't see it if You can’t dedicate over 3 1/2 hours They take the time in between both plays to serve food which leads to an almost 40 minute Intermission

Also I scored the first play Lewiston a 79. In the second play Clarkson an 89. I thought it was brilliant to show these plays on the same night because there were so many similarities between both plays. Rattlestick has always been one of my favorite theaters and it looks like they’re doing some major remodeling. In the meantime there making excellent use of the space. Both shows were staged wonderfully. I wanted to point out edmund Donovan The actor that played Chris in the second play. It was one of the best performances I’ve seen this year.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see an intimate production of a pair of plays by a fine American playwright. The actors are almost close enough to touch.

Don't see it if sitting on a folding chair for almost four hours would be a problem or if you like upbeat stories with clear narrative arcs.

Also It's a very long evening. Given a choice, I would have skipped Lewiston and just seen Clarkston, which is by far the better play. If I could have rated the plays separately, I would have given Lewiston a 70 and Clarkston an 80.... Read more Read less

See it if you like naturalistic dialogue, middle America confronting coastal elitism, seeing how enabling takes many forms. Great casts.

Don't see it if 3.5 hrs of white fragility. 2 scripts pointedly wave off race bc struggles of the beneficiaries of the American legacy are more interesting.

Also Lewiston: 3 superb actors but weaker play. Aims to make Alice’s choice seem difficult, but it’s not. Sympathy for the exasperating Marnie is supposed to be triggered by an overplayed trump card. Connor’s subplot is a highlight but his character is a third wheel. Not even factoring this play into my score.

Clarkston: All points are for Clarkston. 3 more great actors. A series of uneasy encounters ripe for connection or disaster. The three wheels are more equally matched & pull their leverage in less predictable ways. Characters more interesting for who they are than the ideas they stand for. Direction similar to Abe Koogler’s Fulfillment Center.

L/C’s uniqueness has been overblown. It’s only unusual if you’re unused to great performances by small casts in small spaces. Eat-in aspect not critical to the experience & seems part of a fad (Sweeney Todd; The Dead, 1904; Oklahoma!; Shake & Bake: Love's Labours Lost).... Read more Read less

See it if Honest treatment dealing with disappointment - in plans, in dreams, in belief structure - for young individuals & perhaps for America.

Don't see it if Lewiston is a bit hollow, although Connor character is compelling. Clarkston’s tension, with excellent performances, is palpable.

See it if you enjoy emotionally powerful stories with characters that feel realistic and multi-layered and not perfect, with superb directing.

Don't see it if You need a full-blown production. The set is minimal and folding chairs are used. Otherwise, do not miss this!

Also This was such a unique (in a good way) experience! You watch Lewiston, then you break for a communal dinner (you can bring your own if you don't want to buy theirs), then you watch Clarkson.
The communal dinner is great b/c it gives you a chance to chat about the show with your fellow attendees.
The acting is excellent.... Read more Read less

See it if enjoy drama, well-acted that is both personal (family drama) and public (related to what's happening today)

Don't see it if want big loud shows. This is very intimate.

See it if You want a unique evening of theater: Two thought provoking plays in an intimate setting with a communal meal in between.

Don't see it if You don’t have the patience to let the plays slowly unfold.

Also The plays are connected in theme and work beautifully together. All the actors were outstanding in their roles, but I was most haunted by Arnie Burton in Lewiston and Edmund Donovan in Clarkston.... Read more Read less

See it if You like dramas where there is a strong relationship between the setting and the action.

Don't see it if You don't like plays about family dysfunction.

Also I thought Clarkston was the stronger play, with characters who felt more at ease expressing themselves. In Lewiston, the characters were much more withholding and circumspect. The audience needed to have patience to see how it all unraveled.

The two plays are perfect together and enhanced one another. Common themes such as journeys, discovery, grief and suicide were subtly explored in each.

All six actors were terrific. A very moving experience.... Read more Read less

See it if You want 2 shows that complement/pair/exist in the same world but aren't necessarily a unit. You enjoy naturalism + minimalism

Don't see it if You need supportive/comfortable seating (the "stools" have a back but are uncomfortable plastic chairs). You cannot eat quickly.

See it if You want to see two beautifully written plays that compliment one another performed by a perfect cast.

Don't see it if You don't like text heavy, emotionally resonant & serious plays.

Also Samuel D. Hunter is one of my favorite playwrights, and he is at the top of his game here. This is a don't miss production.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy contemporary themes & serious drama or if you enjoy exploring the pursuit of happiness in shopping malls and park lots

Don't see it if You want something light or if you are biased against gay men

Also Samuel Hunter continues to explore the isolation and alienation of modern big box society - how we value ourselves in an economy that values so many of us so little and how we find happiness, purpose and connection.
This time workers are set in Costco where they are happy to be treated and paid better than other parts of the fast food nation
The Lewis and Clark theme really works and nicely ties together these two stories
The acting is superb in both plays - esp Lewiston with Arnie Burton
Kristin Griffith !... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a pairing of tender, moving, beautiful plays performed by two exquisite casts. Lovely and intimate.

Don't see it if You don’t have patience for quiet plays that reveal themselves slowly. Or if you expect high production values. Very pared down.

See it if You want to see a two-plays-at once set of plays about modern life and the impact of 'legacy'. They are over 3 1/2 hours.

Don't see it if You want a meaningful, insightful experience. Acting was good - don't quite understand the high reviews.

See it if You like intimate character dramas. Small on plot but big on people and emotions.

Don't see it if You like large sprawling theatre and are uncomfortable being so close to the action.

Also Like most here, I agree, the second play is the richer more satisfying play. But both offer lovely performances and dialogue that will tug at your heart and mind.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to enjoy two weighty, thought-provoking plays, separated by a communal dining experience.

Don't see it if you can't invest the full 3 1/2 hours, logistically or psychologically.

Also I wish the plays could be rated separately. I thought Clarkston was a notably better piece than Lewiston. That said, there was definitely value in showing them together (whether in tandem or in repertory), and I enjoyed the experience of sitting down for a meal and engaging with fellow theatre-goers between shows.... Read more Read less

See it if you appreciate beautiful stories told very simply, and acted with perfect ensembles.

Don't see it if you need big, flashy productions. These shows are small and intimate with minimal sets.

Also Sam Hunter hits another one out of the park. These two shows are near-perfection in all facets. They're beautifully written, staged perfectly, and well-acted. Treat yourself and spring for the BBQ chicken between shows and get to know some of your fellow audience members. With fewer than 70 people in the house, you'll be "up close" no matter where you sit, and you'll be glad you went!... Read more Read less

See it if you are a Samuel Hunter fan (I am) or you're interested in the lives of residents in small towns in Idaho and Washington.

Don't see it if Sitting through two 90-minute shows with a 30 minute break for dinner will be a challenge. Both plays could have stood on the own.

Also To perform them together, I think that the plays could have been shortened to 60 minutes each. It's a long night, even if both plays are entertaining. The second one is slightly better than the first, so stay for it.... Read more Read less

See it if a memorable and profound theatre experiment

Don't see it if ...

See it if Very intimate theater experience. Acting was superb. Interesting themes of grand and personal exploration in both pieces tied together well

Don't see it if It’s a long night and requires sustained focus.

Also Critical opinions seem to favor Clarkston but I found Lewiston to be the more compelling piece.... Read more Read less