John Grisham’s “A Time to Kill,” stage adaption by Rupert Holmes, directed with strength and energy by Ethan McSweeny, is a powerful, riveting courtroom drama with a dynamite cast. It addresses the biblical question in its title: Two white men rape and kill a ten-year-old black girl. Her father (John Douglas Thompson) kills them. The defense attorney (Sebastian Arcelus) and the district attorney (Patrick Page) battle it out. All three are strong, clear and tap deep into their psyches.
The entire cast is top notch: Tom Skerritt as an old alcoholic lawyer, Tonya Pinkins as Thompson’s wife, Chike Johnson as the sheriff -- not a weak link in the sixteen-member cast.
With a great, imaginative set by James Noone and projections by Jeff Sugg, perfect costumes (by David C. Woolard) and lighting (by Jeff Croiter), this intense, gripping drama doesn’t let go of you throughout its duration. I asked my companion (Barbara Lee Horn, author of eight published books on theater) what she thought of the production. Dr. Horn replied, “Flawless.”) I agree.
Previews:
September 28, 2013
Opened:
October 20, 2013
Ended:
Limited run as of Oct. 2013
Country:
USA
State:
New York
City:
New York
Company/Producers:
Daryl Roth & Eva Price
Theater Type:
Broadway
Theater:
John Golden Theater
Theater Address:
252 West 45th Street
Website:
atimetokillonbroadway.com
Running Time:
2 hrs, 30 min
Genre:
Drama
Director:
Ethan McSweeny
Review:
Parental:
strong adult themes, violence
Cast:
Sebastian Arcelus, John Douglas Thompson, Tonya Pinkins, Tom Skerritt.
Technical:
Lighting: Jeff Croiter. Costumes: David C. Woolard. Sets: James Noone. Projections: Jeff Sugg.
Other Critics:
TOTALTHEATER David Lefkowitz 10/13 +
Critic:
Richmond Shepard
Date Reviewed:
October 2013
