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Review

Line

Israel Horovitz’s Line is an authentic New York theatre experience in part because at 45 years it’s the longest running show and also because it’s a fine-tuned drama at it’s most absurd. Line takes us into the lives of five people who struggle to be first in line for a completely unknown event. It’s the story of their struggle to get ahead and a metaphor for urban life in general.

The set is comprised of a piece of masking tape stuck to the stage floor but that’s all that’s needed to bring to life this smartly written examination of winning at all costs. Marcus Brandon is captivating as Flemming, Christopher Augustin was over-the-top outrageous in his role as Stephen. This adaptation was produced by Women of Color Productions yet in a cast of five had only one was woman of color, the rest were men. Molly was brought to life by the fiercely sensual Lisa G., wife to Arnall who was played by a very moving Tony Del Bono. When Molly decides to sleep her way to the front of  the line it was an empowered move yet her husband kept referring to her as a ‘bitch’ which was a disconnect. In any event Molly was as riveting as she was passionate and Hector Brito balanced out the show’s shenanigans as the Latino funny man who was sparkling with charm.

Line
13th Street Rep
March – June, 2016
Monday evenings
Directed by Jacqueline Wade
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By Raymond Helkio

Raymond Helkio is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art & Design, whose work has been shown at international film, theatre, and design festivals including Inside Out Film Festival, Buddies In Bad Times Theatre, Design Exchange, Videofag, Art Gallery of Ontario, Glad Day Bookshop, Artscape and Nuit Rose.