louise on the left (coast)

I'm choosing to call this my "blogger out takes" of my review of South Coast Rep's current production of "In A Garden." The truth is this is a second review (or " un -review") of, yes, the very same play. I apologize for any confusion, however if you'd like to read my "real review" of the same play, Howard Korder's "In a Garden" now playing at SCR , then click here . What you will find here in this post is more of a personal discussion of the same play. (I know, a little weird, but, just indulge me and go with it.) ______________________________________ It all began, my overwhelming trepidation about writing about this, when I read the following statement in the press release: " In a Garden is not a traditional drama or comedy..." Anytime I see a play described as “not a traditional comedy or drama,” little alarms go off in my head making me wonder if this is some sort of escape clause for what will ult

Howard Korder’s “In a Garden,” is now receiving its world premiere on South Coast Repertory’s Julianne Argyros Stage. Written by Howard Korder. 
Directed by David Warren. South Coast Repertory’s production “In A Garden,” Howard Korder’s newest play, is a fascinating and engrossing evening of theater, both expertly directed and acted. Right from the start I was hooked by this superbly crafted, well-acted play, knowing that for the next few hours it would be like unwrapping the cellophane on an exotic yet unfamiliar delicacy that offered new insights on a familiar theme, but with an entirely unexpected center. All four actors in the play shine in their roles, each one enlisting the kind of timing and experience only well-seasoned stage actors can deliver, making it a resoundingly satisfying evening of theater. Mark Harelik as Othman, the Minister of Culture of a fictional Middle Eastern country, crackles with hawk-like intelligence and employs a masterful delivery of Korder’s