Benjamin Carr

Atlanta

Theater Journalist at ArtsATL

Contributing Writer at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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Articles

'Topdog/Underdog' explores family ties at Atlanta's Actors Express

1 month ago | ajc.com | Benjamin Carr |Suzan-Lori Parks

This story was originally published by ArtsATL. Suzan-Lori Parks’ “Topdog/Underdog,” which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2002 and a Tony Award for Best Play Revival in 2023, centers on two loving yet competitive brothers named Lincoln and Booth who are struggling with the cards that life and fate have dealt them. The two-person play, starring Aaron Goodson and Lamar K. Cheston and directed by Eric J. Little, continues at Actor’s Express through April 19.
Review: Out Front’s ‘Immediate Family’ like a fun ’90s sitcom that digs deeper

1 month ago | ajc.com | Benjamin Carr

This story was originally published by ArtsATL. Though Paul Oakley Stovall’s“Immediate Family,” onstage at Out Front Theatre Company through March 29, has the strong, fun and nostalgic vibes of a 1990s sitcom like “Living Single” or “Martin,” there is something deeper at its core. It is a very good, funny and emotionally engaging show that deserves to be seen with a crowd.
Review: Dad’s Garage dishes up a tasty musical stew with ‘Hot Jambalaya’

1 month ago | ajc.com | Benjamin Carr

All of the ingredients in “Hot Jambalaya,” the new original musical onstage at Dad’s Garage through March 29, make for a delicious Cajun-flavored show. Don’t miss it. Heck, go back for seconds. The show is a wacky comedy musical with a legitimately compelling, twisted murder mystery at its center, written by Atlanta talents Matt Hobbs and Travis Sharp and directed by Candy McLellan Davison. The cast is great. The jazzy songs are delightful.
Review: Daring ‘Bust’ a prescient look at Black life in contemporary culture

2 months ago | ajc.com | Benjamin Carr

This story was originally published by ArtsATL. There are a lot of wildly inventive twists, strong performances and beautiful design elements in the Alliance Theatre’s world premiere of “Bust,” onstage through March 16. Its heart is in the right place, exploring surreal ways in which Black people might escape the crushing circumstances of this world. But the script by Zora Howard underdevelops many elements of the plot and characters that would make this show a richer, more rapturous experience.
Theatrical Outfit’s ‘Lehman Trilogy’ is a complex study of the American Dream

2 months ago | ajc.com | Benjamin Carr

This story was originally published by ArtsATL. “The Lehman Trilogy,” a three-hour telling of the rise and fall of Lehman Brothers financial firm and its founding family, was selected for Theatrical Outfit’s season specifically because it is complex material, according to artistic director Matt Torney. “It’s really, really, really, really, really hard,” said Torney, who is directing the show.
Review: Alliance’s clever ‘Doctor De Soto’ suggests we grin, bear our differences

2 months ago | ajc.com | Benjamin Carr

This story was originally published by ArtsATL. “Doctor De Soto,” the world premiere children’s musical adaptation of William Steig’s 1982 Newbery Medal-winning picture book, is onstage at the Alliance Theatre’s Hertz Stage through March 2. It is a brisk, fun and silly time for families living in or visiting the city.
Review: Burning Bones’ ‘Hysteria’ uses motion to lay bare emotions

Nov 21, 2024 | ajc.com | Benjamin Carr

This story was originally published by ArtsATL. Using a variety of poetry, live music and film to provide extra depth to modern dance pieces, the Burning Bones Physical Theatre production “Hysteria” explores aspects of the psychological condition and how it affects perceptions of gender. Primarily, “Hysteria,” onstage at Windmill Arts Center through Nov. 24, is a nonnarrative dance performance choreographed by Frankie Mulinix and featuring Thomas Bell, Sharon C.
Review: Shakespeare Tavern explores new emotional depths in ‘Hamlet’

Nov 14, 2024 | ajc.com | Benjamin Carr

This story was originally published by ArtsATL. Even if you’ve seen and read “Hamlet” and think there’s no new undiscovered country to be found there, Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse’s production is full of energy and surprising touches of wit and terror, which keep things compelling throughout a run time of more than three hours. And with Mary Ruth Ralston delivering a powerhouse performance full of verve, zaniness and humanity as the titular character, the show (running through Dec.
Dad’s ‘Mother, May I...?’ blends Lifetime drama with improv absurdity

Oct 22, 2024 | ajc.com | Benjamin Carr

This story was originally published by ArtsATL. For decades now, Lifetime, the network once branded as “Television for Women,” has used original TV movies to expose the secret evils of seemingly perfect boyfriends, perfect roommates and perfect babysitters. Onstage Saturday nights until Nov.
Laughter lights the way as improv duo navigates way through marriage

Oct 13, 2024 | ajc.com | Benjamin Carr

This story was originally published by ArtsATL. Love is a funny thing in general. It drives us crazy, leads us to make grand gestures and (hopefully) inspires us to be our best selves. For former Dad’s Garage Artistic Director Kevin Gillese and “Archer” star Amber Nash, who married at the Goat Farm Arts Center in 2012, love is a very, very funny thing. The two seasoned improvisers regularly perform together and separately at Dad’s Garage.