FICTION by Steven Dietz at Capital Stage There’s an old adage in theatre that audiences attend with ‘a willing suspension of disbelief’. That is to say that they willingly set aside the truth and accept the fact that Peter Pan can fly even though the wires holding him up are plainly seen. That applies to theatre, film, and especially literature. But what if we believe every word we read? Can fiction become fact? Is something true simply because we believe it? In 2003 author James Frey wrote a memoir of his struggle with addiction called ‘A Million Little Pieces’. He was lauded as a troubled genius with a brilliant future, and America loved him. When the truth came out that a portion of

When answering a personal ad promising ‘a night that will change the course of mankind’, expect a few disappointments. When Jo and Jules hook up in B Street Theatre’s current production of ‘Boom’, written by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, their disappointment in each other is the highlight of their evening. Jo, played with an angry intensity by Sarah Aili, wants the human connection she’s never had…or, rather, she wants to have had a human connection; best get it over with! Jules, played by Peter Story, has a bit loftier goal. He wants to be the savior of all mankind and the father of all future generations! One small problem though; he can’t really…um…perform. “ But”, he’s quick to point out, “it’

A while back I saw a ‘man in the street’ interview on TV, and they were asking people what they thought of social networking. One twenty-something thought it was great, but that he didn’t think a fifty year old should have an active Facebook profile. Now, the bone through his nose was one indication that this young man’s judgment was not to be trusted, but still, it made an impact. Am I really too old for Facebook? Is fifty the age when you are officially ‘too old’? Now, I’m by no means a Facebook fanatic; I’m not constantly updating my status, or commenting on the status of others. But I do enjoy checking in with people now and then, and see what they are up to. But now that I know that

Do certain members of our society purposefully set out to destroy others, or are certain people hardwired for self destruction? That’s a question director Stephanie Gularte leaves tantalizingly open in Capital Stages’ stunning new production of ‘The Scene’ by Theresa Rebeck. In Rebeck’s play, a recent transplant from Ohio, Clea, has come to New York to seek her fortune and hit ‘the scene’; a round of parties given and attended by celebrities, the well-to-do, and everyone who’s anyone. Clea, played with enthusiastic glee by Elena Wright, meets up with out of work actor Charlie, played by Scott Coopwood, and sets him and those he’s closest to on a path that will forever change their lives.