REVIEWS FROM 2008 FRINGE FESTIVAL NYC
BACKSTAGE.COM review August 11, 2008 By Ronni Reich
Both dramatically and socially compelling, the 1993 Lucasville prison
uprising is an ideal subject for activist drama.
Physical and emotional abuse prompts prisoners to take over a
cellblock, holding guards hostage. As the script by Staughton Lynd,
Gary L. Anderson, and Christopher Fidram often points out, racial
tensions among inmates vanish, and no physical harm is meant.
But negotiator Dave Burchett (a chilling Greg Mocker) ignores spokesman
George Skatzes' demands and turns off electricity and water. A murder
and a forced false confession are among the injustices that follow.
Petitions and websites to support the Lucasville five fill the
program.
Characters portrayed are real people, and negotiation tapes provide a
basis for dialogue.
NY THEATRE.COM calls Greg Mocker "delightfully unctuous."
(Translated: delightfully ingratiating, obsequious, fawning,
groveling, subservient, cringing,humble, hypocritical, insincere,
gushing, effusive; glib, smooth, slick, slippery, oily, greasy; smarmy)