A Play Is a Poem: 5 One Act Plays by Ethan Coen

‘A Play is a Poem’ is a refreshing collection of five one act plays written by renowned film maker and playwright Ethan Coen

This past Saturday, the hubbs and I attended the opening night of A Play is a Poem at the Mark Taper Forum in Downtown LA. This refreshing collection of five one act plays, written by renowned film maker and playwright Ethan Coen and directed by Neil Pepe, takes you on a captivating journey of the human condition.

During the course of the two hour show, you will visit the hillbilly hollows of Appalachia, the executive suites of Hollywood, a New York tenement apartment, the smoke-filled office of a Los Angeles private eye and a magnolia-scented gazebo in Natchez, Mississippi.

Each setting has a very distinct mood and each story transports you into different time periods and places with rich character driven storytelling, Ethan Coen is masterful at creating a diverse and vivid snapshot of America throughout the ages and the audience get swept away in his skilled storytelling.

The talented ensemble cast each portrays one or more characters throughout the plays and they showcase an impressive range of acting talent. Many of the actors are recognizable from other TV shows and movies and includes, in alphabetical order: Ro Boddie, Max Casella, Micaela Diamond, Peter Jacobson, Jason Kravits, Nellie McKay, Saul Rubinek, Miriam Silverman, Joey Slotnick, Sam Vartholomeos and CJ Wilson.

While all of the plays were diverse and intriguing, for me the highlight of the show was the comedic musical interludes between each play performed by Nellie McKay. Her natural old-timey storytelling style and amazing voice was fun, entertaining and memorable.

A Play is a Poem will be performed now through October 13, 2019 at the newly renovated music center in Downtown LA and you can get your tickets HERE