Over the River and Through the Woods
By Robert K.
3/1/2011

The play Over the River and Through the Woods captivated me in a delightful way. The great acting, laugh-out-loud dialog, and the venue’s intimacy combined to entice me into the play’s living room, helping me experience immigrant and Italian-American culture through the family’s clever banter. I recommend Magenta Theater to couples and families as a terrific alternative to movie night (which feels tired as the default backup anway) and to anyone interested in being swept away for 2 hours of pure enjoyment.

Also, discussing the play later sequed into a really lively family exchange around the laughable dysfuctions in our own relatives and how our conflicting cultural values, family, and broader relationships manifest in funny ways. Those topics seem to be a common theme for upcoming shows too.

By Adam Stewart - Cultural Critic Vancouver Voice
Over the River and Through the Woods
February 17, 2011

"As is generally the case with Magenta, the acting is universally strong. As the lead, Newport’s comic energy brings a neurotic quality to the character that makes it easy for him to ratchet up the tension. At the same time, his lack of patience, while mostly played for comedic effect, seems lost on his grandparents, and it often bursts out in such extremes
that we can understand why Pearson’s character calls him a jerk. Yet early in the play, when Nick couldn’t make his announcement because his grandparents are too busy jawing their eccentricity to let him get a word in edgewise, it was no wonder he was ready to leave. In the end, it’s everyone who needs to grow up a little, and it’s Glenn Russell, Andrea Adams, Tony Provenzola and KC Cooper as the grandparents who do so heartbreakingly."

Good showing at Magenta Theater
By Lisa G.
July 01, 2010

"I’ve been in Vancouver a long time and had never been to the Maganta Theater. I recently went and saw the play Present Laughter. It was surprisingly funny. The actors kept me laughing from start to finish. The characters they played were witty and charming. I had such a good time and will do this again and think everyone should try this place
out. So much is happening at the theater so check out the Web site, www.magentatheater.com."

By Victoria R.
October 23, 2010

.... "Present Laughter' was a GREAT show and had all the needed elements of witty writing, perfect casting, and superb direction. I've been to the majority of Magenta's shows and I'm always amazed at what they can do with that small space. We'll be back for more productions!

By Adam Stewart - Cultural Critic Vancouver Voice
Ever Christmas Story Ever Told and Then Some..
December 16th, 2009

"Plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, accented by tongue-in-cheek history lessons, and all glazed with holiday warm fuzzies, Magenta provides a cinnamon-sweet treat that offers to become its own holiday classic, certainly not a bad way to spend a sacred Christmastime Saturday evening. Or two."

By Adam Stewart - Cultural Critic Vancouver Voice
Wait Until Dark
October 13, 2009

"Being a smaller theater, the drama and sometimes violent action is that much more close-quarters, giving us the sensation that we’re stuck in the room. Tricky lighting (an absolute must for this play) is handled expertly. Roberts keeps things moving along at a pace that’s brisk
enough to keep the smart script – which has details that warrant close attention – easy enough to follow. This is also helped by sharp deliveries the uniformly good cast."

"What (Dave)Roberts and his cast gives us for Halloween this year is the unsettling suspense of watching the invasive buckling of a seemingly comfortable environment: domesticity invaded by the violence of the outside – and possibly inside – world. No ghosts or monsters can be that scary."