Six Characters.... Evan Koehler

I want to see this play performed. The actual text was, for me, an average work of art. I've certainly read better. A few times I did not understand what was happening: the excessive, philosophical diatribes of the Father; the gun shot ending (though I suspect the father shot the son); the almost-sexual awkwardness between the Father and Stepdaughter. I think if I were to see the play performed, I would enjoy it. I like art that plays on illusion---American Psycho is my favorite novel. There is plenty literary critique in the play, which is manifested in criticisms from the father that I like. More than anything, I think this play is about acting and character and not so much about an entire production. I think a book would have done the playwrights authors more justice or obviously, though inaccessible, a film. However, I think this is the cleanest and best-written play we have read this year. The play, though I still think the actual production would be the best medium, is easily-imagined because of Pirandello's writing. I really like the scenes when, in response to the Manager, the actors laugh. The dialogue, with exception of the father, is the best imitation of actual conversation other than The Cherry Orchard. The Stepdaughter is a nice foil to the father; oddly, I really liked the youth of her character. On a negative note, though, I thought the play was too emotionally manipulative. Though the play starts out emotionally neutral, it becomes so traditional and dark. It was not a particularly uplifting piece, especially when I’m really sick.