Lacking a single redeemable quality, “Bark!” leads the pack as one of the worst shows of 2005. Set in a dog pound, a cast of six assume canine clichés in a musical so insipid and dull, it makes “Cats” look like high art. Looking for a quirky, pets-eye view of the world? Look elsewhere. Especially if you actually like dogs. The German Shepard is dressed as a motorcycle cop and dreams of being adopted by a Jewish family, a detail that seems vaguely offensive. The Pit Bull is a bad boy in black leather pants, and the French Poodle warbles in a French accent. Genius stuff. Really. The lyrics aren’t any better: “I want a family/with children 1,2,3/who want to play with me.” (There are five credited lyricists, and one suspects it’s an effort to spread the blame around a little.) The show supposedly has an Off-Broadway run in its future, but I can’t see why. The most profound emotion I felt throughout this two-hour debacle was a deep and thorough embarrassment for the actors. Put this dog to sleep. (Nina Metz)
Toxic: A Review of Poison at The Plagiarists The real poison at work here isn’t strychnine or hemlock, it’s a dreary self-seriousness that leaches the play of any hint of wit, humor and humanity.
Not Without A Fight: A Review of "Relentless" at TimeLine Theatre Though the characters in "Relentless" are educated and well-to-do, they are far from reserved in world view—their rage seethes, hidden only by the comfort of their surroundings and the decorum of their lives.
