REVIEWS
Big Love, Project SEE Theatre
Director Sullivan Canaday White strikes an unlikely but elegant balance between ancient and contemporary elements by embracing the behemoth scale of the themes in Mee's script, which is written in verse. Classical scenes are rhythmically punctuated by sudden, frenzied, euphoric, extremely loud musical romps, each which emphasize group relationships (think sisters dancing in their underwear singing You Don't Own Me) before propelling the plot forward like a slingshot. White wrings out every bit of space in the Downtown Arts Center's black box theater, with in-the-round action pulsing to the walls and even into the risers before contracting back inward to the center of Mike Sanders' octagonal set design. There, a porcelain claw-foot tub reposes, its organic curves contrasting with the clean geometry of the floor space.
Candace Chaney, Lexington Hearld-Leader
Burn This, Project SEE Theatre
Project SEE scorches stage with epic, raw 'Burn This.' On the heels of the hit production The Hot l Baltimore, Project SEE Theatre finishes its inaugural season with Burn This, the second of two plays honoring Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lanford Wilson, who died last year. Both plays feature Wilson’s penchant for grittily poetic language and fascinatingly flawed and eccentric characters, but there is one major difference between the two: scale. The Hot l Baltimore requires an enormous cast but Burn This is an intimate affair and yet somehow, it is more epic.
Candace Chaney, Lexington Hearld-Leader
Bake-Off, Humana Festival of New American Plays
“A brief one-act, it was the clear apex of this year’s...Humana Festival of New American Plays...”
Bruce Weber, New York Times
“...Bake-Off mixes all the right ingredients. Director Sullivan Canaday White cooked this one to perfection.”
Sherry Eaker, Back Stage
“Directed by Sullivan Canaday White, Bake-Off, was an uproarious release of closeted kitchen feminism, an explosively funny cry of foul...”
Roger McBain, Courier & Press (IN)
Proof, Actors Theatre of Louisville
“Under Sullivan Canaday White’s lilting direction, a quartet of actors performs expertly.”
Louisville Courier Journal
“The play’s (Proof) themes of mental illness, sibling rivalry and learning to trust yourself and others are carefully folded into the script and directed with a subtle gentleness that never mocks or exploits. Director Sullivan Canaday White gives each theme room to breath.”
LEO, Louisville,KY
Slut, American Theatre of Actors, Off Off-Broadway
“Well, did I ever think I could love a show called SLUT? The answer is a resounding YES. Directors Sullivan Canaday White and Tony Speciale prove that two heads are indeed better than one, for they lead a terrifically talented and winning cast in this new musical hit.”
Peter Filichia, Star-Ledger
Heaven and Hell (On Earth): A Divine Comedy
Humana Festival of New American Plays
“The short works, directed by Sullivan Canaday White move without a hitch, never giving the audience reason to fidget.”
The Courier-Journal
Lord of the Flies, KCT SummerFest
"The ensemble cast functions together as a living breathing unit. They are particularly strong in their use of movement. From uptight school boys, to crouching, spear-carrying savages, the boys move in raw, fluid synchronization. Their collective scenes of group frenzy, fear, mirth and murder are mesmerizing in their orchestration and sharply timed, particularly when accompanied by Tripp Bratton's original drum score."
Candace Chaney, Lexington Hearld-Leader
The Hurting Part, University of Kentucky Theatre
"Last night's world premier of celebrated Kentucky author Silas House's debut as a playwright was an unqualified theatrical event. The play was worth the fanfare, both in terms of the script and the production it was given by the University of Kentucky and director Sullivan Canaday White."
Rich Copley, Lexington Hearld-Leader
Lion in Winter, Lexington Shakespeare in the Park
“Roaring good theatre. Under the demanding direction of Sullivan Canaday White, these performers have created one of the best festival shows in recent memory.”
Lexington Herald-Leader
Wide Asleep/Fast Awake, Actors Theatre of Louisville
“I really enjoyed Wide Asleep. It was tight, had good focus and left one’s appreciation of the poems intact. I would think the Apprentice Company would be proud of their work. I certainly was.”
Jon Jory, Artistic Director, ATL
Big Love, Project SEE Theatre
Director Sullivan Canaday White strikes an unlikely but elegant balance between ancient and contemporary elements by embracing the behemoth scale of the themes in Mee's script, which is written in verse. Classical scenes are rhythmically punctuated by sudden, frenzied, euphoric, extremely loud musical romps, each which emphasize group relationships (think sisters dancing in their underwear singing You Don't Own Me) before propelling the plot forward like a slingshot. White wrings out every bit of space in the Downtown Arts Center's black box theater, with in-the-round action pulsing to the walls and even into the risers before contracting back inward to the center of Mike Sanders' octagonal set design. There, a porcelain claw-foot tub reposes, its organic curves contrasting with the clean geometry of the floor space.
Candace Chaney, Lexington Hearld-Leader
Burn This, Project SEE Theatre
Project SEE scorches stage with epic, raw 'Burn This.' On the heels of the hit production The Hot l Baltimore, Project SEE Theatre finishes its inaugural season with Burn This, the second of two plays honoring Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lanford Wilson, who died last year. Both plays feature Wilson’s penchant for grittily poetic language and fascinatingly flawed and eccentric characters, but there is one major difference between the two: scale. The Hot l Baltimore requires an enormous cast but Burn This is an intimate affair and yet somehow, it is more epic.
Candace Chaney, Lexington Hearld-Leader
Bake-Off, Humana Festival of New American Plays
“A brief one-act, it was the clear apex of this year’s...Humana Festival of New American Plays...”
Bruce Weber, New York Times
“...Bake-Off mixes all the right ingredients. Director Sullivan Canaday White cooked this one to perfection.”
Sherry Eaker, Back Stage
“Directed by Sullivan Canaday White, Bake-Off, was an uproarious release of closeted kitchen feminism, an explosively funny cry of foul...”
Roger McBain, Courier & Press (IN)
Proof, Actors Theatre of Louisville
“Under Sullivan Canaday White’s lilting direction, a quartet of actors performs expertly.”
Louisville Courier Journal
“The play’s (Proof) themes of mental illness, sibling rivalry and learning to trust yourself and others are carefully folded into the script and directed with a subtle gentleness that never mocks or exploits. Director Sullivan Canaday White gives each theme room to breath.”
LEO, Louisville,KY
Slut, American Theatre of Actors, Off Off-Broadway
“Well, did I ever think I could love a show called SLUT? The answer is a resounding YES. Directors Sullivan Canaday White and Tony Speciale prove that two heads are indeed better than one, for they lead a terrifically talented and winning cast in this new musical hit.”
Peter Filichia, Star-Ledger
Heaven and Hell (On Earth): A Divine Comedy
Humana Festival of New American Plays
“The short works, directed by Sullivan Canaday White move without a hitch, never giving the audience reason to fidget.”
The Courier-Journal
Lord of the Flies, KCT SummerFest
"The ensemble cast functions together as a living breathing unit. They are particularly strong in their use of movement. From uptight school boys, to crouching, spear-carrying savages, the boys move in raw, fluid synchronization. Their collective scenes of group frenzy, fear, mirth and murder are mesmerizing in their orchestration and sharply timed, particularly when accompanied by Tripp Bratton's original drum score."
Candace Chaney, Lexington Hearld-Leader
The Hurting Part, University of Kentucky Theatre
"Last night's world premier of celebrated Kentucky author Silas House's debut as a playwright was an unqualified theatrical event. The play was worth the fanfare, both in terms of the script and the production it was given by the University of Kentucky and director Sullivan Canaday White."
Rich Copley, Lexington Hearld-Leader
Lion in Winter, Lexington Shakespeare in the Park
“Roaring good theatre. Under the demanding direction of Sullivan Canaday White, these performers have created one of the best festival shows in recent memory.”
Lexington Herald-Leader
Wide Asleep/Fast Awake, Actors Theatre of Louisville
“I really enjoyed Wide Asleep. It was tight, had good focus and left one’s appreciation of the poems intact. I would think the Apprentice Company would be proud of their work. I certainly was.”
Jon Jory, Artistic Director, ATL