February 24, 2008
Joey P. Burbank,
Compared to THRILL ME playing nearby, this production was an overlong dissappointment. The music in the other production added so much more to the story then all of the very dry "facts" did. Drama is Drama. And Documentary is Documentary. Documentary isn't very interesting on stage.
February 17, 2008
M.J. Hollywood, CA
Dickie and Babe is the best play I have seen in a small theater in Los Angeles. The Blank does consistently exceptional work and this is yet another feather in their cap. It is so authentic that I almost forgot that we are in the year 2008 as I was brought back to the 1920s. The entire cast does a terrific job with the seamless script by Daniel Henning. Although we are told that they are there, it is impossible to tell where actual transcripts are inserted in the script. The show is two and a half hours long and I was captivated for every second of it. Kudos to The Blank!
February 16, 2008
Steven Stanley Alhambra, CA
Daniel Henning’s Dickie & Babe moves as lickety-split as a bullet train, whizzing from scene to scene at a breakneck pace. Under Henning’s assured direction, the play features one of the most bravura performances you’re ever likely to see, a brilliantly manic star turn by Nick Niven, who is matched every step of the way by the splendidly understated work of Aaron Himelstein. Backing the two leads up, both figuratively and literally, is a cast of
five of the finest actors likely to be assembled on a single stage this year: Weston Blakeley, Vicki Lewis, J. Richey Nash, Charlie Schlatter, and Michael Urie. Henning’s script is full of sly humor, keeping Dickie and Babe from ever feeling like a dry documentary, nor does the play ever descend into docudrama territory. This is a superbly directed and acted production. Read my full review at www.LAStageScene.com.
February 15, 2008
Kelly Los Angeles, CA
There is something in this show for everyone-- history buffs, theatre buffs, crime-drama buffs, looking-at-hot-guy buffs-- all will be satisfied!
The "long" running time absolutely flew by and so did the several hours after the show that my boyfriend and I spent talking about it. Henning did extensive research and it really shows in the details of this fantastic piece of work.
Go see it immediately!
February 15, 2008
Steve Los Angeles, CA
Are you kidding me? I have seen "both" shows and there is no competition at all. "Dickie & Babe" is a true piece of theatre, exploring not only the crime and killers but the era and the national obsession with the crime. Overlong? If that is true, then why did half the audience stay for a riveting slide show after the final curtain. This play answered so many questions for me about this fascinating case. I'm going again next week and bringing more friends. BTW, the performances are fantastic. Michael Urie from Ugly Betty is chilling and Vicki Lewis from News Radio plays so many differnt characers so terrifically, I thought for a minute she was 2 actresses! You would be a fool to miss this show.
February 15, 2008
karla studio city, ca
overlong, over-researtched, this production is swamped by detail and lacks the theatricality of THRILL ME (telling the same story of the leopold/loeb murders). if you can only go to one - and there is no need to see both - choose THRILL ME
February 7, 2008
Elizabeth Shaw Los Angeles, CA
Went to the preview last night and was blown away! You would think this show had been running for a few weeks already. Strong acting and a terrific script! Kind of sad to see two good looking boys do such a horrible crime!
February 4, 2008
Steven Anders Los Angeles, CA
Terrific performances! Not just the leads. All the supporting roles were very effectively acted and incorporated into the story! Inventive stage & costume design, period photography enhances the story on a screen above the stage, and strong, creative direction and vision from Daniel Henning. Mr. Henning also researched and wrote a script that reveals and fleshes out a story that most of us have never known about these men, the trial, and Chicago and the nation at a certain time in our history. Kudos to All!!!
