The Co-Operatives (FringeNYC)

"An energetic, brilliantly structured, sophisticated comedic work…Derran Moss-Dalmau has crafted this pithy, fast-paced, dialogue-driven HBO-sitcom-style script. He is adept at wielding words that create distinctive characters with delicious quirks. The scenario begs for a long-running TV series…Director Tatiana Pandiani has ensured a glorious breakneck pace for the piece, keeping the tensions taught, the stakes high, and the actors driving to the climax." Full Review

"'The Co-Operatives' relies on a web of complex relationships, histories, and stipulations that can occasionally feel overwhelming, which can risk burying its humorous moments...With so much going on, it's hard for the characters to exist as more than one or two key traits, but the cast shares focus well enough...The playful stage chemistry between Bernard and Navarro injects an appreciated bit of humanity into a show where emotion tends to be neutralized." Full Review

"The plot quickly becomes muddled…There are several clever ideas here about how to subvert the rules of the co-op board, but the plot and the dialogue are unclear and there are no identifiable story arcs. The characters often stand to the side and talk about other parties and situations to which the audience has not been introduced, or stay onstage for seemingly no reason, so it’s easy to get confused and frustrated. Director Tatiana Pandiani's staging doesn’t help us to understand either." Full Review