Jeff Mandels : And Somewhere Men Are Laughing : Reviews







	REVIEWS
“There have been signs for some time that the traditional dysfunctional family drama, often considered the strong suit of American dramatic literature, is running out of figurative gas. Yet it also appears that the genre is something of a renewable resource, as is nicely illustrated by Jeff Mandels’ *And Somewhere Men Are Laughing, a slice-of-life look at one man’s family and their tribulations during the Brooklyn summer of 1955.” – David Finkle -- TheaterMania (August, 2007)* “Iacono and Gallagher are magnetic throughout...Bill Russell’s fluid direction helps keep the action progressing smoothly and cohesively.” – Matthew Murray – Off Broadway (August, 2007) “The story is compelling…an excellent play...If you love New York, baseball, theatre, or all three like I do, do yourself a favor and go see this play.” – Michael Ferrell – nytheatre.com (August, 2007) Reviews from the NY audience on Time Out NY J. Harris said... Every once in a while we see something we find ourselves compelled to talk about. I walked out of the Conelly Theatre last night with a lump in my throat, but at the same time a sense of warmth that brought me back to my childhood. In Somewhere Men Are Laughing I had the chance to revisit the rivalry I shared with my own brother so long ago. I watched as two young boys tore at each other with so much bitterness and anger you couldnâ??t help but wonder if they are really brothers. All this animosity was no match for the love this family shared. I have seen a lot of theatre but honestly canâ??t remember the last time I saw a performance of this intensity. Cheers! (Posted on Aug 19 3:07pm) Johnny Yengo said... OMG... After four nights out and seeing FIVE plays I came across the ONE.... If you want to laugh ,cry and walk out of the thearter with a warm feeling inside this is the ONE....The entire cast were simplying amazing. Young Paul Iaccona is everthing and then some. (Posted on Aug 19 10:40am) caren defranco said... We have seen 6 Fringe shows so far and this one is BY FAR the best. Great ensemble acting, you laugh and cry at the same time. Deep and moving. We want to see it again. Odets? O'Neil? Simon? Really liked it. Very professional for Fringe. Think it will go places. (Posted on Aug 18 1:53pm) MIMI said... ***FOUR STARS! THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I WENT TO THE FRINGE FESTIVAL AND I PICKED A WINNER. THIS IS ABOUT A FAMILY LIVING IN A SMALL APARTMENT IN BROOKLYN IN 1955 DURING THE 1955 WORLD SERIES OF THE DODGERS VS THE YANKEES. THE PREMISE IS A FAMILY IN CONFLICT. THEY HAVE TWO SONS, ONE DISABLED DANNY AND ONE HEALTHY PAUL. DAD WINS TWO TICKETS TO THE WORLD SERIES. YOU CAN GUESS WHO HE TAKES. PAUL IS TIRED OF THE ATTENTION HIS BROTHER RECEIVES AND THE TWO BOYS ARE AT ODDS AND FIGHTING CONSTANTLY. THE ACTING AS AN A GROUP WAS SUPERB AND WE ALL SAW A LITTLE PIECE OF OUR FAMILIES IN THIS SHOW. THE AUNT PEARL WAS WONDERUL. THE TWO BOYS TORE AT YOUR HEART TO WATCH. YOU WANTED TO SIDE WITH PAUL AS HE IS GROWING UP AND TRYING DESPERATELY TO GET THE ATTENTION HE CRAVES. THE DISABLED BOY DANNY YOU KNEW HIS FUTURE AND YOUR HEART BROKE FOR HIM. BOTH BOYS WERE REFRESHING TO WATCH AS NEITHER OVER POWERED THE OTHER OR STOLE THE LIMELIGHT. THE DISABLED BROTHER DANNY DID NOT OVERLY DRAMATIZE HIS SITUATION AND I INCLUDING OTHER AUDIENCE MEMBERS HAD A LUMP IN MY THROAT AND TEARS IN MY EYES. OUR FAMILIES ARE ALL IN THIS PLAY AND HIT A NERVE. IF YOU WANT TO BE MOVED, CRY, LAUGH AND CHEER THIS IS IT. GO SEE!!! (Posted on Aug 16 8:39am)* Reviews from the 2004 premiere production at Garry Marshall's Falcon Theatre (originally titled "Johnny Boy") "...an honest, beautifully written drama." – Joel Hirschhorn, Variety (April, 2004) "Playwright Jeff Mandels sketches a humorous, affecting portrait." – Lovell Estell, LA Weekly (April, 2004) "...joins a small group of cherished memory plays." – Don Grigware, NoHo LA (April, 2004) "Hands down it's one of the best casts I've seen in a small-theatre world premiere." – Rob Kendt, LA Times (April, 2004) "Impeccable..." – Burbank Leader (April, 2004) "...Mandels' script unfolds with a wonderfully natural flow of language." – Dink O'Neal, Backstage West (April, 2004)		The Talkin' Broadway 2007 Summer Theatre Festival Citations recognize new plays and musicals selected by our panel of jurors as ready to move to the next level of production and development, and to performers of demonstrated excellence. Outstanding New Play *And Somewhere Men Are Laughing* by Jeff Mandels as presented in FringeNYC Awarded by Peter Filichia