Wakey, Wakey Reviews

from San Francisco, California

WONDERFUL IF WILLING TO DIG DEEPER

These two reviews do this play by Obie Award-winning playwright, Will Eno, no justice whatsoever. Yes, the majority is a monologue which may seem of no importance at a shallow glance. Will Eno has entrusted its audience to dissect this play as masterpieces are meant to be. The preview and play convey similar messages. Question yourself, why would the teacher and woman in the play be played by the same actor? Why the lightheartedness? Why was the finale shown as it was? The underlying messages of age, the cycle of life, fulfillment, and the whole atmosphere surrounding death are all scattered in this play with logical ruptures and amazing dialogue. Do not be discouraged. Rather encourage yourself to decipher rather than channel out completely. That's what makes all the difference in theatrical art.

Ben from San Francisco, California

BEAUTIFUL PLAY. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

This is a beautiful and unusual play. Exquisite writing and performance and production overall. Eno is one of the best thinkers and wordsmiths we have in the theatre. And Hale gives a subtle, haunting, and deeply funny performance. It might not be the play you expect. But go in curious and you won’t be disappointed.

Henry Ostendorf from San Francisco, California

HMM, ON SECOND THOUGHT...

Wow, the reviews here made me think I was in for a really sleepy, crappy evening. However here I am writing a more than glowing review for the preview I saw last evening. Odd to hear what others said in reviews in in person but I'm so glad I stayed through the first tedious minutes of the show when I wasn't quite sure what was going on or what was to come. One person said that there was a "first" part that was totally unrelated to the "second" part but by the end of the performance it all tied together wonderfully. Loved seeing a clock on the wall for the first 10 or so minutes making me aware of passing time. Highly recommend this play to anyone interested in existential thought.

Theater lover from San Francisco, California

DID NOT HOLD MY ATTENTION

I was excited by the way the show started. I love theater that challenges the norm and this certainly showed promise. But this play never seemed to decide what it was, although it did have some sections that were moving and Mr. Hale has a lovely presence. But that was not enough to keep me engaged and I found myself nitpicking almost every choice made (sound, the infringing lighting, the ridiculous over realistic huge set, the unfounded ending- the venue itself! Why show this play here?). With all that said, I am sure that there are plenty people that will connect to it (it won an Obie after all). Sadly, to me, it felt like an over produced workshop that is still trying to find its way.

from San Francisco, California

SLEEPY SLEEPY, CRAPPY CRAPPY - AWFUL EXCUSE FOR THEATRE

Just sat through the Saturday night performance of Wakey, Wakey with Tony Hale as lead actor and there was a 15 minute opening play that was an ACT commissioned work that preceded the main event. To call them both student efforts would be an insult to students. Slow, rambling and pointless is about the sum of it. I was hopeful that bringing Hale to SF would try to optimize his ample comedic skills. Trust me, they were badly wasted on this dreck. The dozens of people who walked out after 20 minutes missed nothing. This was embarrassing theatre. Seriously. When the highlight of the entire evening is a YouTube video of screaming animals you know that an open bar during the performance wouldn’t have helped. This is exactly why my wife and I gave up our season tickets years ago. I hope the rest of the season isn’t this awful..... Save your time and money for something more worthwhile. Trust me. Wakey Wakey was a Snore-Fest.

Connie from San Francisco, California

TOTALLY DISAPPOINTED

I love Tony Hale but this play was painful to sit thought. I can't even honestly call it a play because it's about nothing. Not in a good Seinfeld type way nothing but just a terribly disjointed boring way. Don't waste your time or money on this.

Jason Worcester from Pacific Grove, California

GROTESQUELY DISAPPOINTING

Opening soliloquy of actor reading crib notes and venting at... us?... the audience?... was rich. And I am supposed to have connected him to the prior six-minute Classroom Scene, except any relevant connection was not presented for at least another 20 minutes. By that time, I really just didn't care about what this character had to offer. He had ranted his way out of relevance to this play. I am a frequent patron of ACT... and certainly was surprised by the failure of this production.

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