THEATRE

• Official Website
• Buy Tickets
• Add to My Favorites

True West

Presented by dystheatre at Blue Theatre

May 26-June 18, 2011

Avg. Event Rating (4.1 Stars):
Add Review/Comment | Read Reviews/Comments

Comment on Facebook

 A fight is brewin' at mom's house. Who will be the heir apparent to the throne of best son? Don't miss the match of the season: nine consecutive rounds of sibling rivalry constitute this burgeoning bout of domestic proportions, from safe inside this sweet suburban silence in southern California.

• At-a-
  Glance

  • Venue Info

    Blue Theatre

    916 Springdale Road
    Austin, TX 78702

    Full map and directions

  • Admission Info

    Tickets:

     $15 general admission
    Thursdays and Sundays are pay-what-you-can

    Buy Tickets

  • Dates & Times

    Dates:
    May 26-June 18, 2011

    Times:
    

    Extra show June 5th

  • Accessibility Info

    Currently, no accessibility information is available for this event.

  • Video & Image Gallery

    Currently, additional images/videos have not been submitted for this event.

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: True West
      "sibling rivalry turned up a notch"
      Review posted by: theaterlover from Austin, Jun 17, 2011
      

      Interesting what can happen if the rivalry turns into a competition and "the bar is lowered" - the roles are reversed. A very interesting supposition. A very good performance - highly recommended -... Expand

      Interesting what can happen if the rivalry turns into a competition and "the bar is lowered" - the roles are reversed. A very interesting supposition. A very good performance - highly recommended - just try to avoid the first couple of rows - otherwise you might become part of the action ;-) Collapse

    • Event Name: True West
      "Dystheatre's True West--dark and wonderful sibling rivalry"
      Review posted by: Casey H. from Austin, TX, May 30, 2011
      

      Set in an intimate, in-your-face space at the Blue Theater, the intricacies of a brotherhood is torn apart with grace and humor in True West. Michael Ferstenfeld and Alex Hilary electrify the stage... Expand

      Set in an intimate, in-your-face space at the Blue Theater, the intricacies of a brotherhood is torn apart with grace and humor in True West. Michael Ferstenfeld and Alex Hilary electrify the stage as warring brothers Lee and Austin, and it's thrilling to see the tactics and oneupmanship these two actors employ to bring Sam Shepard's work to life. Don't be thrown by lack of blackout or on-stage costume changes during the scene changes; this breaking of the forth wall brings a great dimensional element to the show. My favorite thing about this production was the building tension created between the two actors--these characters are on a journey together to say so many things left unsaid and buried, and Ferstenfeld and Hilary hijack the audience into coming right along with them. Great show. Collapse

    • Event Name: True West
      "Stings like a bee!"
      Review posted by: Liz Bruns from Austin, TX, May 30, 2011
      

      Mom's out of town and the brothers descend on home. It's round one. Ding, ding, ding. True West is the story of two brothers forever competing. What exactly they are ultimately competing for is... Expand

      Mom's out of town and the brothers descend on home. It's round one. Ding, ding, ding. True West is the story of two brothers forever competing. What exactly they are ultimately competing for is unknown. Austin, who appears to be the more successful brother at first, is preparing to meet Saul, a movie producer. Lee has just wandered in from the desert. Through the play, the roles of the brothers clash and transform. Each scene of both acts is punctuated with a 3-ding bell like that of a boxing match. And it is a match, between the brothers. But in the end, who is the winner? I can't tell you. You'll have to see it yourself. I can tell you that when the play ended, breakfast for dinner sounded great, and that's what we did. Star Seeds! Collapse

    • Event Name: True West
      "Thanks, Jesse Griffith!"
      Comment posted by: Jeff B from Austin, TX, May 29, 2011
      

      I'm a producer with Dystheatre, and I just wanted to thank you, Jesse, for a glowing review that mentions Jacob and Esau.

      I'm a producer with Dystheatre, and I just wanted to thank you, Jesse, for a glowing review that mentions Jacob and Esau.

    • Event Name: True West
      "Best West"
      Review posted by: Jesse Griffith from Austin, TX USA, May 29, 2011
      

      This production adds some punch to an American classic and reweaves the tale for us without distracting from Shepard's vision. The story of two brothers in a competition is as old as time, and many... Expand

      This production adds some punch to an American classic and reweaves the tale for us without distracting from Shepard's vision. The story of two brothers in a competition is as old as time, and many liken True West to Cain and Abel. This is true to some degree but for me it's more like Jacob and Esau. We don't have murder here so much as trickery and deceit as well as sibling rivalry. The direction and acting are delivered in a 'take no prisoners' technique that makes this drama appeal to our shared senses of the great American dream: We can be anything we truly want to be, if we want it badly enough. Even if it means risking relationships? Gambling with our parents' affections and limits? Pushing ourselves beyond our own comfort zones? Find out at Dystheatre's production of True West. This one is not to be missed. Collapse

    • Event Name: True West
      "A battle for sure"
      Review posted by: Stephen from Austin, TX, May 28, 2011
      

      If you ever want to see a play about fighting with yourself or with your sibling, True West is the play for you. Sam Shepard's play pursues the question of identity through the grit and emotion of the... Expand

      If you ever want to see a play about fighting with yourself or with your sibling, True West is the play for you. Sam Shepard's play pursues the question of identity through the grit and emotion of the dysfunctional family unit. The setting always stays in the kitchen and the two lead actors Alexander Hilary and Michael Ferstenfeld are great at the high end marks of emotional outburst. The play for me is the stumbling block over anything that the actors did. It just ask the question of who am I, what is my place in society and does what others do override my own self worth? Those where the questions I thought of as these characters sort of stop at plays end and leave you to wonder the answers. I give praise to the massive collection of toasters and whoever is prop master after show has some of my applause. Donald Bayne as Saul and Ellen Massay as Mom do well enough for characters that are not able to showcase too much depth or range. The static and lights up between scenes surprised me. Collapse

    • Event Name: True West
      "Action Packed!!!"
      Review posted by: Linda M. from Austin, TX, May 27, 2011
      

      ACTION PACKED!! DARKLY FUNNY!! That is what can be said about SAM SHEPARD’S TRUE WEST, which is being performed by the Dystheater group at the Blue Theatre on Springdale Thursday May 26, 2011... Expand

      ACTION PACKED!! DARKLY FUNNY!! That is what can be said about SAM SHEPARD’S TRUE WEST, which is being performed by the Dystheater group at the Blue Theatre on Springdale Thursday May 26, 2011 through June 18, 2011 with an extra show on Sunday, June 5th. Come see this ACTION PACKED play, but, don’t get to close or you may become involved in the fight scene. Collapse

• Media
  Gallery

  • All Media Gallery

    Currently, additional images/videos have not been submitted for this event.

• Member
  Reviews

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: True West
      "sibling rivalry turned up a notch"
      Review posted by: theaterlover from Austin, Jun 17, 2011
      

      Interesting what can happen if the rivalry turns into a competition and "the bar is lowered" - the roles are reversed. A very interesting supposition. A very good performance - highly recommended -... Expand

      Interesting what can happen if the rivalry turns into a competition and "the bar is lowered" - the roles are reversed. A very interesting supposition. A very good performance - highly recommended - just try to avoid the first couple of rows - otherwise you might become part of the action ;-) Collapse

    • Event Name: True West
      "Dystheatre's True West--dark and wonderful sibling rivalry"
      Review posted by: Casey H. from Austin, TX, May 30, 2011
      

      Set in an intimate, in-your-face space at the Blue Theater, the intricacies of a brotherhood is torn apart with grace and humor in True West. Michael Ferstenfeld and Alex Hilary electrify the stage... Expand

      Set in an intimate, in-your-face space at the Blue Theater, the intricacies of a brotherhood is torn apart with grace and humor in True West. Michael Ferstenfeld and Alex Hilary electrify the stage as warring brothers Lee and Austin, and it's thrilling to see the tactics and oneupmanship these two actors employ to bring Sam Shepard's work to life. Don't be thrown by lack of blackout or on-stage costume changes during the scene changes; this breaking of the forth wall brings a great dimensional element to the show. My favorite thing about this production was the building tension created between the two actors--these characters are on a journey together to say so many things left unsaid and buried, and Ferstenfeld and Hilary hijack the audience into coming right along with them. Great show. Collapse

    • Event Name: True West
      "Stings like a bee!"
      Review posted by: Liz Bruns from Austin, TX, May 30, 2011
      

      Mom's out of town and the brothers descend on home. It's round one. Ding, ding, ding. True West is the story of two brothers forever competing. What exactly they are ultimately competing for is... Expand

      Mom's out of town and the brothers descend on home. It's round one. Ding, ding, ding. True West is the story of two brothers forever competing. What exactly they are ultimately competing for is unknown. Austin, who appears to be the more successful brother at first, is preparing to meet Saul, a movie producer. Lee has just wandered in from the desert. Through the play, the roles of the brothers clash and transform. Each scene of both acts is punctuated with a 3-ding bell like that of a boxing match. And it is a match, between the brothers. But in the end, who is the winner? I can't tell you. You'll have to see it yourself. I can tell you that when the play ended, breakfast for dinner sounded great, and that's what we did. Star Seeds! Collapse

    • Event Name: True West
      "Thanks, Jesse Griffith!"
      Comment posted by: Jeff B from Austin, TX, May 29, 2011
      

      I'm a producer with Dystheatre, and I just wanted to thank you, Jesse, for a glowing review that mentions Jacob and Esau.

      I'm a producer with Dystheatre, and I just wanted to thank you, Jesse, for a glowing review that mentions Jacob and Esau.

    • Event Name: True West
      "Best West"
      Review posted by: Jesse Griffith from Austin, TX USA, May 29, 2011
      

      This production adds some punch to an American classic and reweaves the tale for us without distracting from Shepard's vision. The story of two brothers in a competition is as old as time, and many... Expand

      This production adds some punch to an American classic and reweaves the tale for us without distracting from Shepard's vision. The story of two brothers in a competition is as old as time, and many liken True West to Cain and Abel. This is true to some degree but for me it's more like Jacob and Esau. We don't have murder here so much as trickery and deceit as well as sibling rivalry. The direction and acting are delivered in a 'take no prisoners' technique that makes this drama appeal to our shared senses of the great American dream: We can be anything we truly want to be, if we want it badly enough. Even if it means risking relationships? Gambling with our parents' affections and limits? Pushing ourselves beyond our own comfort zones? Find out at Dystheatre's production of True West. This one is not to be missed. Collapse

    • Event Name: True West
      "A battle for sure"
      Review posted by: Stephen from Austin, TX, May 28, 2011
      

      If you ever want to see a play about fighting with yourself or with your sibling, True West is the play for you. Sam Shepard's play pursues the question of identity through the grit and emotion of the... Expand

      If you ever want to see a play about fighting with yourself or with your sibling, True West is the play for you. Sam Shepard's play pursues the question of identity through the grit and emotion of the dysfunctional family unit. The setting always stays in the kitchen and the two lead actors Alexander Hilary and Michael Ferstenfeld are great at the high end marks of emotional outburst. The play for me is the stumbling block over anything that the actors did. It just ask the question of who am I, what is my place in society and does what others do override my own self worth? Those where the questions I thought of as these characters sort of stop at plays end and leave you to wonder the answers. I give praise to the massive collection of toasters and whoever is prop master after show has some of my applause. Donald Bayne as Saul and Ellen Massay as Mom do well enough for characters that are not able to showcase too much depth or range. The static and lights up between scenes surprised me. Collapse

    • Event Name: True West
      "Action Packed!!!"
      Review posted by: Linda M. from Austin, TX, May 27, 2011
      

      ACTION PACKED!! DARKLY FUNNY!! That is what can be said about SAM SHEPARD’S TRUE WEST, which is being performed by the Dystheater group at the Blue Theatre on Springdale Thursday May 26, 2011... Expand

      ACTION PACKED!! DARKLY FUNNY!! That is what can be said about SAM SHEPARD’S TRUE WEST, which is being performed by the Dystheater group at the Blue Theatre on Springdale Thursday May 26, 2011 through June 18, 2011 with an extra show on Sunday, June 5th. Come see this ACTION PACKED play, but, don’t get to close or you may become involved in the fight scene. Collapse

• Media
  Reviews

  • Media Reviews

    There are currently no media reviews for this event.