Theater Review: DANA H (Center Theatre Group at the Kirk Douglas Theatre)

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by Harvey Perr on June 11, 2019

in Theater-Los Angeles

A ROLLER COASTER RIDE
TO THE HEART OF DARKNESS

I will always love good theater but, even so, every so often there comes along a play that actually restores one’s faith in the possibilities of theater. Dana H by the brilliant Lucas Hnath is just such a play. And Les Waters’ direction couldn’t be more precise. It was a riveting experience and cannot be explained without giving away too much. In addition to extraordinary storytelling, one sequence is so electrifying that it becomes one of those rare theatrical moments which once seen will never be forgotten, and the sheer genius of achieving power by keeping things simple and straightforward, there is the incredible, often magical, performance of Deirdre O’Connell.

It couldn’t have been coincidental that the Center Theater Group has Dianne Weist doing Beckett at the Taper and, at its smaller Kirk Douglas, is offering O’Connell in a play that reminds one that there are contemporary Becketts in our world. Dana H is even more striking because it is entirely new and fresh.

photos by Craig Schwartz

Dana H
Center Theatre Group
Kirk Douglas Theatre
9820 Washington Blvd in Culver City
ends on June 23, 2019
for tickets, call 213.628.2772 or visit CTG

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