The Times reviews Aunt Dan and Lemon by Wallace Shawn


Ben Brantley of the New York Times reviews Aunt Dan and Lemon by Wallace Shawn very highly


Sara Krulwich/The New York Times
Kristen Johnston, left, and Lili Taylor in the New Group's revival of Wallace Shawn's "Aunt Dan and Lemon" at the Clurman Theater.

Ben Brantley of the New York Times gives Aunt Dan and Lemon a very good review. Back in the late 80's this play made a lot of waves. Shawn puts clever arguments for Kissinger's bombing of Cambodia into the mouth of Aunt Dan - and the most liberal theatre audiences were shocked. Shawn ended up writing in the Times op-ed that he had been misunderstood - he had not wanted the audience to think these were his views. Now, a new production at the Harold Clurman Theatre is making new waves - after America's war in Iraq these arguments once again have the power to shock. Brantley says:

In the aftermath of the American invasion of Iraq and the attendant public debates on pre-emptive warfare, Mr. Shawn's examination of blurred blood stains in Western culture takes on a newly electric topicality.

This play is all about Aunt Dan enticing Lemon into believing that Kissinger was right to bomb Cambodia - and in the process it shows us how monstrous ideas can appear appealing.
Brantley again:


Even before she says a word, Ms. Taylor intrigues and unsettles. Be warned that if you stay to listen, you'll be living with her gentle, poisonous voice in your head for a long time to come.

AUNT DAN AND LEMON

By Wallace Shawn; directed by Scott Elliott; sets by Derek McLane; costumes by Eric Becker; lighting by Jason Lyons; sound by Ken Travis; executive producer, Geoffrey Rich; general manager, Jill Bowman; production supervisor, Peter R. Feuchtwanger/PRF productions; production stage manager, Valerie A. Peterson; assistant director, Marie Masters. Presented by the New Group. At the Clurman Theater, 410 West 42nd Street, Clinton.

WITH: Lili Taylor (Lemon), Melissa Errico (Mother), Bill Sage (Father), Kristen Johnston (Aunt Dan), Brooke Sunny Moriber (Mindy), Isaach De Bankolé (Andy), Liam Craig (Freddy), Maulik Pancholy (Marty), Carlos Leon (Raimondo), Marsha Stephanie Blake (Flora), Emily Cass McDonnell (June) and Stephen Park (Jasper).



Posted: Sat - January 31, 2004 at 06:56 PM          

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