The Other Paper wrote
CATCO stages a daring black comedy, but it’s hedging its bets
by RICHARD ADES / October 4, 2007
Geoff Nelson has a message for the Contemporary American Theatre Company’s faithful subscribers: If The Pillowman doesn’t sound like your kind of play, he’ll exchange your tickets for something else.
CATCO’s artistic director is being cautious about the upcoming production. And with good reason. People have been known to walk out on Martin McDonagh’s black comedy, which delves into a topic even the darkest of comedies rarely touch: violence against children.
So why, if it makes CATCO folks so nervous, was The Pillowman chosen to lead off the troupe’s 24th season?
“Well, it’s a great play,” said Nelson, who plays a cop in the production. “Also, it seemed like it might be good to start out with a bang, which is something that theaters don’t usually do.”
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