Judith Swift

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Theatre that ran the emotional gamut in 2010

The human condition
We laugh, we cry, we stifle annoyance and look at our watches. Theater performances vary widely in what they attempt and how well they accomplish it.
By BILL RODRIGUEZ | December 22, 2010

Talking ’bout a revolution

The Gamm’s life-affirming Rock ’n’ Roll
It takes a theatrical genius like Tom Stoppard to come up with Rock ’n’ Roll, which merges the pulsing spirit of both until they feel like one. And it takes a theater of the caliber of the Gamm to make history feel like a Stones concert that becomes a political rally.
By BILL RODRIGUEZ | May 05, 2010

When traders equal traitors

Turncoats on Wall Street. Plus, ecori, celebrating Susan, and Rock ’n’ Roll
It is about time someone pointed out that the vile crooks of Wall Street aren’t just greedy, thieving bastards. They are, in fact, traitors to this country and its citizens.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | April 28, 2010

Uncandid camera

Turning a blind eye at the State House. Plus, the Damkoehlers hit the road
There was an excellent piece on State House security cameras in the May 18 issue of the Urinal by the always-reliable Steve Peoples.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | May 20, 2009

An awkward adaptation

Times change, but the frailties of the human heart . . . not so much.
Times change, but the frailties of the human heart . . . not so much. That overworked muscle can be haplessly generous or slammed-door shut. Nathaniel Hawthorne's mid-19th century novel The Scarlet Letter still stands as a perceptive examination of the eternal internal battle between love and hate.
By BILL RODRIGUEZ | May 13, 2009

Ride, Captain, Ride

Sundlun gets off the road. Plus, as A for the Gamm, and corporate lies
The mighty Captain Blowhard was back in the news quite prominently with his stop sign-rolling, curb-jumping antics behind the wheel that led the Jamestown police to suggest that he come out with his driver's license and hands up, following similar assessments by the North Kingstown gendarmes and the URI security force.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | May 12, 2009

Power play(1)

The Gamm's An Ideal Husband
At this time of renewed political idealism in the country, director Judith Swift has labeled the London setting of An Ideal Husband , at the Gamm through December 7, as "inspired by the 19th century, set in the 20th century, reflected in the 21st century."
By BILL RODRIGUEZ | November 12, 2008

Obama ’08: Dawn of a new era

Few socks tossed at TV during liberal klatch in Edgewood
Since 1984, every year in which there is a presidential election, the Murphy/Deans of Edgewood in Cranston, have held a small get-together for friends and family.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | November 05, 2008

Let the rabble eat cake

The economy is in shambles, and McCain doesn’t get it
Isn't it comforting to know that Dubya II McCain’s top economic advisors are Phil Gramm and Carly Fiorina?
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | September 24, 2008

Parlor games

Gamm’s Boston Marriage is a ticklish toss-off
The 19th-century practice of the lesbian “Boston marriage” was packed with enough human urgency and necessary social hypocrisy to supply any number of plays.
By BILL RODRIGUEZ | March 25, 2008

Shocker: RI GOP in disarray

A real two-party system requires an effective minority party
An internecine battle has broken out between the couple dozen or so people who claim to be members of the Rhode Island Republican Party.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | March 19, 2008

Nixon being Nixon

Gamm’s funny night at the White House
Nixon’s Nixon is to Richard Nixon what Dante’s Inferno was to Satan, though less sympathetic.
By BILL RODRIGUEZ | October 30, 2007

Our Sgt. Schultz society

Know-nothing nation sleepwalks well into the future
“I know noz-ZINK!” That was the catchphrase of John Banner’s character, the Nazi prison guard Sergeant Schultz.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | October 24, 2007

Another hummer

The Dunk cost overrun takes taxpayers for a soaking
What do the new Jamestown Bridge and the renovation of the Dunkin’ Donuts Center have in common?
By PHILLIPE + JORGE | May 18, 2007

Sin and forgiveness

A Cardinal Deposed at Gamm
Theater is always trying to impress us by heightening reality, one way or another.
By BILL RODRIGUEZ | March 27, 2007

Bruised brothers

Passion at play in The Lonesome West
The culmination of a grim trilogy from Martin McDonagh, the bad boy of modern Irish theater.
By BILL RODRIGUEZ | February 01, 2006

Money counts

Sheeler has a gripe about attention given to better-funded rivals
Your superior correspondents are as guilty as most for ignoring the many legitimate candidates who seek office, but are not given much chance of winning because of their reluctance (or inability) to link up with deep-pocketed contributors.
By | January 19, 2006