Quick Hit Theater Review: Room

Ellen Lauren

Room
Off-Broadway
The Women's Project & SITI Company
at the Julia Miles Theatre, 424 West 55th St., NYC
Adapted by Jocelyn Clarke, based on the writings of Virgina Woolf
Director: Anne Bogart

Summary:
Virgina Woolf (Lauren) shares her thoughts about writing, sex, repression and how to view life.

Highlights:
Lauren gives a deep performance. A window, visible through some lighting and scrim (Neil Patel, scenic design; Christopher Akerlind, original lighting design) highlight the otherwise plain stage to create Woolf's "room of her own." If you like Woolf, you'll enjoy her words.

Lowlights:
If you're not a Woolf fan, it's kind of dry. Director Anne Bogart (and "movement dramaturg" Barney O'Hanlon) give Lauren some movements to try to depict the opposing forces pulling and propelling Woolf's dialogue, but the result, with odd and awkward arm movements that jolt her around the stage, is unintentionally comical, making her look as though she has just stepped on a live wire, instead of being torn.

• Tickets are available by calling 212-239-6200 or at http://www.womensproject.org/. Room is performed Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 7; Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8; Sundays at 3 and 7:30 pm through March 27.

Christians might also like to know:
• God’s name taken in vain
• Sexual dialogue