Press & Reviews
"A brilliant work of art"
May 2016
The White Rhino Report, Al Chase
Remount of "Eyes Shut. Door Open" Is A "Must See" - At Warehouse XI in Union Square, Somerville - Through May 26th
Remount of "Eyes Shut. Door Open" Is A "Must See" - At Warehouse XI in Union Square, Somerville - Through May 26th
"As impressive as was the original production of "ESDO," this remounting has raised the bar to new heights."
"A clever wall between Turner's living room and his studio allow for some stunning special effects during scenes in which Turner is haunted by the voice of "The Sandman.""
"The three actors were outstanding in the original production; each one is even more impressive and engaging this time around. Melissa deJesus almost slithers in her most seductive, serpentine moments. Victor Shopov shows vast emotional range between insouciance leaning against a pole in the gallery to total mania as the Sandman nightmare takes possession of him during the unexpected dramatic climax. Michael Underhill's Palmer is even more physically representative of a jittery addict on the verge of self-annihilation. The chemistry among the three characters grows from smoldering to explosive. It is as fine a piece of ensemble acting as one could wish for."
"A clever wall between Turner's living room and his studio allow for some stunning special effects during scenes in which Turner is haunted by the voice of "The Sandman.""
"The three actors were outstanding in the original production; each one is even more impressive and engaging this time around. Melissa deJesus almost slithers in her most seductive, serpentine moments. Victor Shopov shows vast emotional range between insouciance leaning against a pole in the gallery to total mania as the Sandman nightmare takes possession of him during the unexpected dramatic climax. Michael Underhill's Palmer is even more physically representative of a jittery addict on the verge of self-annihilation. The chemistry among the three characters grows from smoldering to explosive. It is as fine a piece of ensemble acting as one could wish for."
The New England Theatre Geek, Kitty Drexel
A Few Eyes Lost Between Brothers: EYES SHUT. DOOR OPEN.
A Few Eyes Lost Between Brothers: EYES SHUT. DOOR OPEN.
"I did not expect to be creepy out of my seat by jaw-clenching psychological thrills. This play starts out tame but it doesn’t stay that way."
"What it doesn’t mention is the potential for easily shocked audience members to pee themselves upon witnessing the horror elements of the production. The sets looks standard but it isn’t. The flexible white walls, domestic abuse shadow puppetry, and strange sound effects evoke creepy jeepers on audience spines. The lighting and sound design of this production may be relatively simple but it is super effective. They capture the essence of what it is to experience PTSD"
"The acting and direction are very tight. The exception being the first few moments of the play which are misleadingly floppy. This artifice and ego of the first scenes grow to a dark place of human vulnerability. It’s a weird place but it is real. While the events of the play aren’t relatable, the emotional journey of the characters is."
"What it doesn’t mention is the potential for easily shocked audience members to pee themselves upon witnessing the horror elements of the production. The sets looks standard but it isn’t. The flexible white walls, domestic abuse shadow puppetry, and strange sound effects evoke creepy jeepers on audience spines. The lighting and sound design of this production may be relatively simple but it is super effective. They capture the essence of what it is to experience PTSD"
"The acting and direction are very tight. The exception being the first few moments of the play which are misleadingly floppy. This artifice and ego of the first scenes grow to a dark place of human vulnerability. It’s a weird place but it is real. While the events of the play aren’t relatable, the emotional journey of the characters is."
August 2015
The White Rhino Report, Al Chase
Wax Wings Productions Presents "Eyes Shut. Door Open." - A New Play by Cassie M. Seinuk - A Must See!
"This is a complex and beautifully written play, directed with precision and passion by Christopher Randolph. The cast of Victor Shopov, Melissa M. DeJesus and Michael James Underhill are stunning in their respective very demanding roles."
"This play is a brilliant new work of art, painted in vibrant colors by a cast that frames the action to show the playwright's work in the best possible light. This is a play that must be seen. " more
"This play is a brilliant new work of art, painted in vibrant colors by a cast that frames the action to show the playwright's work in the best possible light. This is a play that must be seen. " more
New England Theatre Geek, Travis Manni
“Eyes Shut. Door Open”: Exploring the Artist’s Tormented Psyche
"[I was] swept up in playwright Cassie M. Seinuk’s world, which had its own set of nightmares prepared for me."
"Director Christopher Randolph is able to piece together a wonderfully fluid story that captures the ever-raging question of what drives an artist to make art without letting the audience fall behind during the scenes of hellish whimsy. Eyes Shut. Door Open is a stunning display of human torment and passion that audiences are sure to appreciate—just be prepared to watch some scenes through your fingers with wincing eyes." more
"Director Christopher Randolph is able to piece together a wonderfully fluid story that captures the ever-raging question of what drives an artist to make art without letting the audience fall behind during the scenes of hellish whimsy. Eyes Shut. Door Open is a stunning display of human torment and passion that audiences are sure to appreciate—just be prepared to watch some scenes through your fingers with wincing eyes." more
ArtsImpulse, Brian Michael Balduzzi
"Eyes Shut. Door Open." Thrills With Intensely Memorable Cain and Abel Twists
"The play is one of Seinuk’s strongest, offering both a modern exploration of the classic Cain and Abel story, and a deconstructionist view of art, its creation, and, most of all, the psyche of its creator. With an all-star cast and a strong director, the play succeeds in captivating the audience until the play’s final moments, a thrilling cat-and-mouse game of shifting alliances, growing paranoia, and heart-pounding suspense."
"With one of the strongest new scripts of the season and a must see for fans of psychological thrillers, East of Eden, or impressive new plays, Eyes Shut. Door Open. was a play that sticks with you, spurring discussion, introspection, and empathy long after the play’s disturbing conclusion. This is a play worth seeing, worth discussing, and worth remembering, lest we forget the possibility of young Boston playwrights to offer new perspective and influence to the Greater Boston theatre scene. And who doesn’t love the beautiful synergy of Shopov, Underhill, and promising newcomer DeJesus? " more
"With one of the strongest new scripts of the season and a must see for fans of psychological thrillers, East of Eden, or impressive new plays, Eyes Shut. Door Open. was a play that sticks with you, spurring discussion, introspection, and empathy long after the play’s disturbing conclusion. This is a play worth seeing, worth discussing, and worth remembering, lest we forget the possibility of young Boston playwrights to offer new perspective and influence to the Greater Boston theatre scene. And who doesn’t love the beautiful synergy of Shopov, Underhill, and promising newcomer DeJesus? " more
The Arts Fuse, Ian Thal
Fuse Theater Review: “Eyes Shut. Door Open.” – Cain and Abel South of Houston Street
"Seinuk, of course, knows her mythology, and the allusion to and repetition of mythological violence elevates Eyes Shut. Door Open. above the popular plot formula of dark domestic secrets revealed at a family reunion."
"An intensely relentless script."
"The cast is well matched for one another and the complexity of the characters. Shopov maintains a swaggering facade as Turner, hinting at the nihilism, self-loathing, and inauthenticity that squats within. Underhill evokes the twitchy impulsivity of an addict, while also pouring on the kind of lost-puppy charm that can make wounded (but untrustworthy) souls so charismatic. DeJesus, as Johanna, projects a cagey intelligence..." more
"An intensely relentless script."
"The cast is well matched for one another and the complexity of the characters. Shopov maintains a swaggering facade as Turner, hinting at the nihilism, self-loathing, and inauthenticity that squats within. Underhill evokes the twitchy impulsivity of an addict, while also pouring on the kind of lost-puppy charm that can make wounded (but untrustworthy) souls so charismatic. DeJesus, as Johanna, projects a cagey intelligence..." more
On Boston Stages, Rich Fahey
‘EYES SHUT, DOOR OPEN’ IS SHOCKING, INTENSE, HAUNTING
"The piece is 90 minutes of no-holds-barred pure intensity, with an excellent, small three-person cast."
"Seinuk slowly peels back the layers of the onion over what exactly inspired Turner to create the paintings, and how confronting the demons involved might cost him dearly." more
"Seinuk slowly peels back the layers of the onion over what exactly inspired Turner to create the paintings, and how confronting the demons involved might cost him dearly." more
Boston Events Insider, Mike Hoban
Wax Wings Gives Cain and Abel an Artistic Treatment in 'Eyes Shut. Door Open' (4 Stars)
"This well-directed work features some terrific performances by a talented cast. Victor Shopov (Turner), who has played a number of highly confident, wholly unlikable characters quite brilliantly in the past year delivers again. But this time we see his character's swagger dissolve as he crumbles in the face of the tag team beating delivered by both the truth and the looming specter of his father (sometimes quite literally). As Palmer, Michael Underhill absolutely nails the essence of the desperate addict, effortlessly shifting gears from charming snake to little boy seeking approval to unrepentant thief to blame thrower. It is a thoroughly realized performance."
"This is a well-written piece that works on a number of levels." more
"This is a well-written piece that works on a number of levels." more