The reception of the play has been gratifying. We’ve had sold-out houses most performances, with a warm audience response, and we’ve been extended a week. The blend of absurd humor and dark subject matter that make up the play is not an easy one to pull off – either in the writing or in the performance. My typical “lasagne-style” layered writing has been received favorably by many, though not all. There’s a three bears’ porridge quality to the reviews, which has been interesting. The show was called “wildly funny,” not so much funny as absurd, and “too funny.” I’ve identified several things to tweak for the next production.
Review/Media Excerpts
[Hearts of Palm is a] “wildly funny satire … Milton’s script is surprisingly sophisticated.” – Charles Kruger, therumpus.net, Notable San Francisco“Hearts of Palm is a wonderful play. Fascinating; filled with delicious dramatic tension, and raising challenging questions.” – Julie Motz, KWMR Radio
[Hearts of Palm is] “engaging, well-performed by the cast and solidly directed … And if it inspires anyone in the audience to pay more attention to domestic companies’ shady practices abroad, so much the better.” – S. Hurwitt, SJ Mercury News“As seen in her previous award-winning play and other works, Milton is a pro at blending painfully direct and on-point social and/or political commentary with comedy and relatable characters—making for a must-see show!” – Kim Cohan, Theatre Bay Area
“Fear not; Milton leaves no would-be white savior unquestioned — or unscathed.” — Lily Janiak, SFGate
“With three women determined to mesh their employers’ political agendas with their personal feminist goals and a male buffoon who thinks he’s a white savior … there is intrigue, jealousy, professional territorialism, and stupidity to spare. … Hearts of Palm draws plenty of laughs from the audience with some well-targeted zingers.” – George Heymont, Huffington Post
“[Hearts of Palm] melds sharp political insights with comic personal exposure… high comedy and satire.” – Barry David Horowitz, Theatrius
“Huh?” – Eddie Reynolds, Theatre Eddys
Photo: Jan Zvaifler as Helen. Photo by Jim Norrena, ACT OUT Photography