THE DISHWASHERS AT 59E59
“An extended metaphor for the
way our society works. Panych magisterially blends naturalism with absurdist
stylization, a fusion as arduous as joining tabloid journalism to classical
poetry. And to do this while steadily keeping us at once wildy entertained and
rivetingly enlightened is no mean trick. The production comes to us from the
Chester Theatre Company; accordingly, we are unlikely to know the excellent
director Byam Stevens and his flawless quartet of actors. One of this season’s
happiest theatergoing experiences. Four Stars - Do Not Miss!”
John Simon – Bloomberg.com
“Archly amusing. Director
Byam Stevens draws out sly wit and panache. The four person cast extracts
plenty of humor without rendering their characters less than genuine. Four
Stars!”
Diane Snyder – TimeOut New York
“Panych has packed the
production with one-liners and grimly ironic platitudes. Generational and class
differences are highlighted with searing observations. Director Byam Stevens
has a sure touch with the pacing. “Work, death, the rest is a detour.” This and
countless other pithy observations can be feasted upon with The Dishwashers.
Jennifer Farrar – Associated Press
“A quirky, insightful
delight.”
James Hannaham – The Village Voice
“Byam Stevens finds the
current financial climate ideal for the play’s humor, which is thick with irony
about the disconnect between society’s privileged classes and the forgotten
wretches whose labors keep them in clover. This painfully enjoyable show also
alerts us to the fact that we may be ready for a renaissance of absurdist
comedy, a form that was made for these times.”
Marilyn Stasio - Variety
“A timely comedy about class
and exploitation. Mr. Panych has written a clever play that, dramatizing the
clash of ideas in the most dreary of places, speaks to the economic anxieties
of our time and even provides a ray of hope.”
Jason Zinoman – The New York Times
“Morris Panych’s The
Dishwashers is an existential workplace comedy that is both wryly observed and
darkly funny. Better still, the first rate production, directed by Byam Stevens
sets the proper tone for the play’s poker-faced absurdities.”
Patrick Lee – Theatermania
“Panych takes this philosophy
(existental), adds a considerable amount of humor salted, and comes up with an
absurdist drama that will stimulate thought. A play of words. Ideas and
associations. The dramatic elements hit home long after the lights went down. I
like a thought-provoking play, and this one has some very strong elements.”
Jo Ann Rosen – nytheatre.com
“Hilarious then
thought-provoking. Stratton and Donoghue create both great comedy and sobering
drama, and their chemistry makes each scene achingly realistic. Panych writes
with Beckettian grace: the conversations are timeless and universal. His
sardonic humor and his eye for the human condition clean the plate for quality
theatre.”
Amanda Halkiotis –
New Theatre Corps
“ Morris Panych’s The
Dishwashers is reminiscent of a Samuel Beckett work, complete with
existential philosop[hizing and dialogue that prompts wince-inducing laughter.
The Chester Theatre Company’s production is a complex portrait of three workers
toiling in the depths of a high end restaurant. Panych’s mastery of irony
pushes the play much further than simple privileged versus working class
commentary.”
