32 Comments

Interesting contribution… FIRST OF ALL. Now more than ever, I come alive best in theatre. As a result of reading Harold PINTER, I regard theatre as the greatest of all art forms. Why? FOR THE MOST PART. The interest in life does not lie in what people do, nor even in their relations to each other, but largely in the power to question the world and discover alternative options for understanding the human condition in terms of fundamental values – e.g. freedom, responsibility, justice, solidarity. Based on this fact, theatre remains the most immediate way in which any human being can share with another the most profound sense of what it means to be a human being (notably in a rapidly changing world). LESSON FROM HAROLD PINTER. Worldwide, to live is the rarest thing. Clearly, life is largely an unanswered question. However, we have no choice but to believe in the dignity and importance of the question. Otherwise… ULTIMATELY. Although none of the rules for becoming more alive is valid, it is healthy to keep on formulating them. That, in itself, is the chief reason why I appreciate and respect M. Harold PINTER. Clara ODIKA-WIEDEMANN (New York) Rating - | Jul 10 2012 11:10AM

i love centersatge so much!!!!!!!!!!!!! shout out to shelly Rating - | May 6 2011 7:45AM

I love Center Stage and greatly enjoy coming to see the plays. As usual, the cast was superb. The material they had to work with, however, was just awful. This was truly the worst play I ever saw. It was distrubing -- in an ugly and offensive way. Rating - | Mar 30 2011 7:43PM

The Homecoming and I met on the evening of February 17th. Initially, I was nonplussed, not offended, but unsure what to make of the play. Even remaining behind for the dramaturgy left me feeling somewhat confused. Happily, after three days of inconstant musing, I can say I understand The Homecoming. It may not be what anyone else understands, but I believe that's part of Pinter's point. To paraphrase Andy Warhol and Edgar Degas, "Art is what you make others see...and can get away with." Rating - | Feb 20 2011 5:17PM

I saw the play on 2/17/2011 - The first word that comes to mind is DISTURBING. Some patrons actually walked out during the performance. It is definitely for mature audiences. Pinter's writing is excellent but the subject matters are offensive. The acting is excellent although at times it was difficult to understand Sebastian Naskaris who plays the youngest son, Joey. Somehow this play seems beneath the quality of CenterStage. I enjoyed listening to and participating in "After Thoughts" with dramaturg Whitney Eggers. Shout out to Laurence O'Dwyer; it was nice seeing you and taking a photo with you on the street that evening. :-) You are always a joy to see at CenterStage. Rating - 4 | Feb 18 2011 10:47AM

Correction: I saw the play on 2/17/2011 (Thursday) Rating - | Feb 18 2011 10:47AM

I saw the play on 2/19/2011 - The first word that comes to mind is DISTURBING. Some patrons actually walked out during the performance. It is definitely for mature audiences. Pinter's writing is excellent but the subject matters are offensive. The acting is excellent although at times it was difficult to understand Sebastian Naskaris who plays the youngest son, Joey. Somehow this play seems beneath the quality of CenterStage. I enjoyed listening to and participating in "After Thoughts" with dramaturg Whitney Eggers. Shout out to Laurence O'Dwyer; it was nice seeing you and taking a photo with you on the street that evening. :-) You are always a joy to see at CenterStage. Rating - 4 | Feb 18 2011 10:46AM

Rating - | Feb 17 2011 1:07PM

SHOW WAS VERY CONFUSING !!! Rating - | Feb 17 2011 1:07PM

What was that??? This statement says it all. That was the most horrible play that I've ever been to. If the objective was to create the most horrible and disturbing play of all time, then objective achieved. Earning three college degrees, I've had to analyze many difficult topics to figure out the author/creator's message. I can't even begin to figure out what the message of this play was - still pondering it twelve hours later - and nothing. Do not waste your time, money, or effort to see this show. Rating - | Feb 17 2011 8:52AM

It was really a special night and I am especially fond of Pinter's work ! Thank you again. josepha miles Rating - 5 | Feb 14 2011 4:08PM

Kudos to a superb cast and a very talented director. Wonderful theater!! Well done. jim Hart Rating - | Feb 12 2011 10:39PM

The Homecoming was really terrific. (This from a 35 yr subscriber.) The casting was excellent, exceeded only by the acting: the wife, the dad, everybody. Direction by IL must have been pretty good....a wonderful goodby gift to us. Dan Rating - | Feb 11 2011 5:05PM

The Homecoming was really terrific. (This from a 35 yr subscriber.) The casting was excellent, exceeded only by the acting: the wife, the dad, everybody. Direction by IL must have been pretty good....a wonderful goodby gift to us. Dan Rating - | Feb 11 2011 5:04PM

I have seen some bad plays in my time, but this is the first time I have ever left. Next time a warning of smoking during a play would be appreciated. Half the theater was coughing and my eyes were burning so bad I couldn't see. Myself and my group left at intermission. The acting was terrible, it was hard to understand what they were saying, and the story wasn't clear. I do not reccomend this show. Rating - | Feb 11 2011 9:11AM

May I volunteer to personally drive Irene out of Ba;timore? Her misogyny is so well known and I can't believe that Baltimore has tolerated her for as long as we have. Good riddance. This play simply put the icing on the cake. Rating - | Feb 10 2011 10:20PM

I love Irene Lewis, I trust her judgement, but this was not a very good play at all. We remain strong supporters of CenterStage, but it is my hope I never see a play of this quality again. We tried to discreetly leave at intermission, but when I looked back there were 20 other people doing the same. EDB Rating - | Feb 10 2011 1:15PM

It was really a special night and I am especially fond of Pinter's work ! Thank you again. josepha miles Rating - | Feb 9 2011 7:03PM

We immensely enjoyed the show and after the show beautiful and creative farewell to your most talented director. Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity to be a part of Baltimore theatre community. Best wishes and many thanks, Tatiana Rating - | Feb 9 2011 6:56PM

I just wanted to let you know that Center Stage has outdone itself with such a WONDERFUL performance!!! The cast was SUPERB!! Their “cockney” accents were so believable!! I truly enjoyed this dysfunctional yet funny family. Kudos to Ms. Lewis for her years of service to Center Stage…she’ll truly be missed! It was a fitting tribute to her final show. Rating - 4 | Feb 9 2011 5:26PM

Rating - 5 | Feb 9 2011 12:14AM

The acting was really good altho' Mr Dwyer did not master the accent, but the play was 2 hours and 10 minutes of my life I shall never get back. I like "edgy" but I do not like offensive. It was so silent around me I could hear the man 4 seats over belching. I could hear snoring. I saw many heads dropping down for a nap. Yarg. At intermission I saw more blank stares and confused faces than a room full of freshmen on the first day of classes. What a waste of time getting out of farm clothes into my city garb. Pat Sweetman Rating - | Feb 7 2011 8:22PM

We have been theater lovers for 40 years and have been a part of Center Stage audiences for the past 20. Of all the productions we have seen over the years we are deeming Homecoming the worst! Even the talented, laughable Laurence O'Dwyer could not save this "comedy". Boring, confusing and disturbing only begin to describe this play. And the lesson to be learned from it would be....Don't take your wife to your home or your brothers will have sex with her and your father will be an accomplice in setting her up as their prostitute. We sat stunned with the rest of an unsuspecting audience when the final act finally ended. We've always admired Center Stage for sometimes taking risks on productions they have chosen but this one was definitely not worthy of being center stage.. Rating - | Feb 7 2011 6:46PM

I did not like this play. I found it extremely boring, and offensive. Definately was not my cup of tea. A women being used, and abused by every man in her husband's family, was raw, sick ugliness. Rating - | Feb 5 2011 9:12PM

I just wanted to let you know that Center Stage has outdone itself with such a WONDERFUL performance!!! The cast was SUPERB!! Their “cockney” accents were so believable!! I truly enjoyed this dysfunctional yet funny family. Kudos to Ms. Lewis for her years of service to Center Stage…she’ll truly be missed! Allette Rating - | Feb 3 2011 3:24PM

Memorable production of this modern classic. Centerstage website describes it as "tough, sexy, ruthlessly funny," which seems about right. Still disturbing, probably offensive for some. Superb cast. Worth the trip. Among the treats: Felicity Jones as Ruth; Baltimore favorite Larry O'Dwyer as Sam; Trent Dawson as Lenny; and Jarlath Conroy as Max. Gerald Rating - | Feb 3 2011 3:24PM

Oops...actually, this is only a two act play. It was the first act that I thought was terrific, and the second act , disturbing. Rating - | Feb 3 2011 1:23PM

I found the first two acts thoroughly enjoyable. Dark, absurd, and extremely funny. The third act was deeply disturbing. Hard to believe this play is over 40 years old. It is shocking, even today. The cast is absolutely superb. The play would have completely fallen flat without their talent. It certainly won't be everyone's cup of tea, but it is a piece of theater worth seeing. Rating - 4 | Feb 2 2011 3:07PM

The play runs 2 hours and 5 minutes, including intermission. Rating - | Feb 1 2011 8:24PM

I was totally disappointed in this play. From the very beginning I was being tossed around by all sorts of plot idea and random notions that lead to me really wanting to leave and go to the movies. There is no protagonist... there is no antagonist... what you think is the rising conflict really isn't. Very difficult to follow and will leave you saying, "What?" The play is two hours long and its all random gibberish that doesn't leave you satisfied... I went to see the play on the 28th of January and when it started, I noticed there was close to a full house... After intermission, I noticed that the crowd has dwindled down significantly... I also noticed a handful of people sleeping during the play. Please... save your money... and your time. Irene Lewis was a comedian before the play started but... her style is not seen in this play... Rating - 1 | Jan 31 2011 11:44AM

How long does the play run? Rating - | Jan 30 2011 3:46PM

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and had an opportunity to chat briefly with Irene Lewis, who seems very accessible. I find the play to be enormously offensive, but I am happy that Center Stage continues to present important theater. As usual, the performances and direction were excellent. I hope the play does well. It's still very risky even after all the years since its debut. I don't like Pinter, but he is obviously a much esteemed contributor to the stage world. - Donald Hooker Rating - | Jan 27 2011 1:07PM