Does she live?

Adapting something like "The Old Curiosity shop," a serial novel by someone who got paid per word, is no easy trick. I just got back from the Lookingglass theatre's swing at it, which was graceful and energetic and beautifully staged (of course!) By and large, the actors had the cartoonish vitality of the classic Dickensian sorts, especially their Quilp, whose posture was nothing short of uncanny. He did the whole part in a constant plie, all the more impressive since his spidery thighs look to be nothing but bone. The knees on that man! Fair warning: It's Dickens at his most raucously sentimental, but even cynics will have a lot to laugh at. Also should be a great show for kids who dig Lemony Snicket. Ah, torturing children. Creating great literature for young and old since the Greeks.

Also, before it closes, try to make time for "Dustbowl Gothic" at the Building Stage. Why? First, it's free- not just for me, but for everybody. Second, it is beautiful beautiful beautiful, category stark. (I mean to say, starkly beautiful.) It's also quite funny, with some great actors, and some pretty music. It's a little sketchy on plot and sense, but it's just coup de theatre after coup de theatre.