The Buzz....

A Strange Disappearance  of Bees Oldcastle Theatre Company ...the finest stagework in the region and that should motivate you to go see it while you can. It’s an intelligent and compelling drama that you need to be able to talk about for the rest of the year... --J. Peter Bergman,  EDGE Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Click HERE for the full review  It’s been years since a new play came out of the blue and knocked me over like a stroke of theatrical lightning.  ..This is a world class production, the most memorable play I have seen since the original Orphansat Steppenwolf in Chicago in 1985. Yes, you read that right, the best play I have seen in 25 years. ... this is the sort of human interest story that capture the interest of both Broadway and filmmakers. ...  I would not hesitate to tell everyone I know that if you are particular about the theatre you see, this is a play that is worth the drive. With more than five dozen plays on our Summer calendar, is it possible that we have just seen the best one of the summer? --Larry Murray Berkshire On Stage  Certainly our best new and original play, yes. Two hours of honest and engaging theatre beautifully acted on the perfect set --Gail M. Burns  Berkshire On Stage Click HERE for the full review Endless Sea Washington playwright Elena Hartwell clearly has a talent for poetic prose and poignant drama... -- Michael Grossberg, The Columbus Dispatch Prairie Nocturne "[Elena Hartwell's] script excels at retaining the book's language and the spirit of Doig's land and people." --Misha Berson, Seattle Times  "Simmons’ character, Monty Rathbun, is one of the most intriguing seen on a Seattle stage so far this season." "Montana of the 1920s may be the land of wide open spaces, but in [Elena Hartwell’s] reverent and moving adaptation of Ivan Doig’s novel, Prairie Nocturne, the prairie town is crowded with ghosts."  Ivan Doig is one of the great ones, and I can say that despite the fact I've never read a single word he's written, because I have seen Book-It Repertory's new production of Prairie Nocturne. --Micheal Dare  click here for the full review

A Strange Disappearance  of Bees 12 Shows to Watch - Detroit Free Press The title alone is intriguing. Playwright Elena Hartwell's world premiere work at the Rep... "Hartwell’s play excelled in its execution of poignant, parallel themes. The playwright managed to imbue her work with messages on the intangibles of life, death, love and happiness, all on the canvass of a realistic, simple plot, fairly uncomplicated characters and entertaining dialogue. The intriguingly odd title couldn’t be more fitting. When the applause set in at the close of the second act, it was certainly more than well deserved." --The Williams Record  "A Strange Disappearance of Bees is a resounding success" --Rogue Critic Read the full review "Detroit finds the sweet spot with A Strange Disappearance of Bees..." --Examiner.com "Playwright Elena Hartwell  shows a firm understanding of the human condition... in her compelling drama..." --Encore Michigan Read the full review "I Love This  Play!" --comment card, patron at Centre Stage In Our Name "...an important and haunting play that should be experienced by all..." --New York Fringe Review "...In Our Name is a timely exploration of military sacrifice and courage..." --New York Fringe Review "...a triptych of short, breathtaking one-acts..." --Martin Denton NYTE The Wall "...timely and trenchant" --Playwrights Horizons Scrooge Revisited "...a delightful adaptation of Dickens' story..." --Joe Boling "...a refreshing interprestation that plays more like an adult psychological drama..." --Bill Timnick (Tacoma City Paper) Fast Ducks "...a charming bit of stagework ... what makes Fast Ducks enjoyable is its love for its characters and its understanding of small-town culture..." --John Sousanis(Oakland Press)