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The kids are alright, but the plays arent.
In the scenes themselves, he lets most of his actors skim the surface of their roles.
Not that they have much to dive into Nomad Motelis peopled by outlines.
Having assembled her characters, Ching does little with them beyond walk them through a series of hackneyed scenarios.
Mason and Alix clash predictably with their respective parental units.
I mean he just assumed youre running away with my bags.
When you were carrying them to my car?
declares Alix in a rush of indignantpost factoexposition.
Griggs is working hard to show us a real person.
Who are these people?
We get description but no depth, exposition without exposure.
Beware the fiction that keeps talking about the power of fiction instead of simply exemplifying it.
It doesnt help that none of the actors seem to be in the same play.
Despite Hamills writerly penchant for madcappery, Zilles resists the easy temptation of taking Amy over the top.
Shes grounded and funny, and shes actually listening to her fellow performers.
Thats all good, but inLittle Women, Hamills tweaks often feel less revelatory than pandering.
(Presumably, were all here because we believed that already.)
Is Beth supposed to be neurodivergent?
Nomad Motelis at the Atlantic Theater Companys Stage 2 through June 23.
Little Womenis at Primary Stages Cherry Lane Theatre through June 29.
