In a Friday, Jan. 7 review, New York Times theater writer Christopher Isherwood highly praised the new Off Broadway play by Adam Bock, “A Small Fire,” starring Wagner College theater professor and Tony Award-winning actress Michele Pawk.
“Life’s darkest terrors and most visceral delights both play a role in ‘A Small Fire,’ a new drama by Adam Bock that opened Thursday night at Playwrights Horizons,” Isherwood writes. “This low-key, quietly moving play features a protagonist who falls victim to a mysterious, debilitating disease — cue the violins — but also features a frank, strenuous sex scene of daring honesty, making for a theatrical combo plate that proves unusually satisfying.”
Isherwood’s review singles out Prof. Pawk for praise:
“ ‘A Small Fire’ ... benefits immeasurably from performances of limpid truth by ... reliable stage veteran ... Michele Pawk. ... Ms. Pawk delineates ... shifts in emotional perspective with a graceful simplicity. ... It’s a moving performance,” Isherwood writes, “precisely because Ms. Pawk never pushes to make it so; but if you watch the way [her character's] hands flutter and search for comfort as her sense of touch becomes her primary connection to the world, it’s hard to keep from getting appropriately teary.”
“A Small Fire” is playing in the Playwrights Horizon Mainstage Theater (416 W. 42nd St., Manhattan) through Jan. 23. For details, tickets, a video trailer and actors’ interviews, visit the theater’s website.
BONUS: To read a charming Q&A with Michele Pawk by Playbill’s Matthew Blank, visit the theater mag’s website.
Times review praises Prof. Pawk
January 7, 2011
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