Is this supposed to be a quote-unquote "Great American" play?
I suppose I had a certain expectation going in - between Shepard's legacy and the rotating Reilly/Hoffman gimmick - that "True West" was about Big American Themes.
Having seen Roundabout's revival (which is completely fine), it quickly became apparent that this is just sort of a normal play with a simplistic plot that goes from A-B-C and ends. The narrative operates is on a pretty simple scale with simple stakes, and I fail to see a larger (if one exists) commentary on the American Dream or American Experience or Creative Discovery or whatever.
Hawke is pretty great, but Dano takes a while to really settle into his performance. The other two actors do their jobs: get in, get out, move the plot ahead. The design, while interestingly confined, didn't elevate the material to me in any capacity. Performed at a good rhythm, the show moves ahead at a brisk pace and provides a satisfying evening of theatre. |
