New Theatre: Raised in Captivity (2 reviews)

New Theatre opened its production of Nicky Silver's Raised in Captivity on April 23, 2010.

This Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominated dark comedy starts with estranged twin siblings who are attending their mother’s funeral, after she was killed by her broken, flying shower head. Add in a husband, a ghost, a convicted murderer, a male escort and a therapist and what you get is a whacky, absurdist comedy about serious family values, relationships and self discovery.

Ricky J. Martinez directed a cast that included John Manzelli, Katherine Amadeo, Clint Hooper, Barbara Sloan, and Lorenzo D. Gutierrez III.

Christine Dolen reviewed for The Miami Herald:

As with New Theatre's recent production of Equus, director Ricky J. Martinez makes casting choices that go a long way toward making an even trickier play work well.

Manzelli's Sebastian is an always-watchable neurotic mess... enticingly unpredictable.

As Bernadette, Amadeo has never been better. She is always in control of balance between the character's crisp surface and roiling emotions...

New Theatre's Raised in Captivity, staged on a thrifty-looking and often-moving set, isn't a powerhouse play like Equus. Its charms are slimmer and stranger. But Martinez and company do illuminate them.

Roger Martin reviewed for MiamiArtzine.com:

Director Ricky J. Martinez has presented a fine cast.

John Manzelli is both hilarious and touching as Sebastian...

There is a touch of madness throughout this show with actors at times going hysterically over the top and this is just fine. Katherine Amadeo's Bernadette is an anorexic, mouth-twitching, emotional wreck whose ambition is to become an alcoholic. Barbara Sloan's Hillary, the psychoanalyst, is a manic, guilt ridden mess.

Silver's men are no less disturbed. Hooper's Kip holds everything beneath the surface to great effect; don't ever get caught in his dental chair.  Guiterrez (Tyler the murderer) also plays a venomous rent boy toying with a reluctant Sebastien.

There's a whole lot going on in Raised In Captivity, funny stuff and serious stuff, and Ricky J. Martinez has directed this melange in fine style. 

Raised in Captivity plays at New Theatre through May 16, 2010.