Protected is a celebration of those profound, unexpected human connections that occur only when we let our guards down and conquer the fear of sharing ourselves with others.
...It’s a well-acted and polished dark comedy that's insightful too...
...Cam Kornman (Myrna) [is] particularly moving...brings out her character’s graceful, maternal side...a delicate, stirring turn...
...As Debra, Dee Dee Friedman hilariously underplays dialogue...
...Langley’s co-worker Matt, played by a charismatic Matt Walker. The relationship between these two is perfectly awkward. As he behaves towards everyone, Langley is hesitant to engage and reveals little. But watch as Walker’s Matt slowly and gently offers his camaraderie. In one of my favorite moments of the play, they discuss Matt’s display at a bar featuring drag queen performances. There’s a confident and sincere give-and-take between the actors that makes live theater so exciting. Walker’s sensitivity played against Paul’s uncertainty is both funny and tender, a testament to the actors and to playwright Timothy Scott Harris for providing twists and turns that you can’t see coming...
...Bill Tatum’s line deliveries (think David Carradine in Kill Bill) plus his creepy cowboy boots had me awaiting some villainous turn from this character. But no...Tatum supplies an austere yet loyal presence in his scenes with Paul...
...Thomas Cote’s direction is seamless. He brings out the best in his actors and they maneuver about the stage naturally. Craig Napoliello’s set design perfectly adds to Langley’s paranoia...
...Sean Singer’s sound design is a highlight of the show. It’s as quirky as the characters who inhabit the play. Singer’s music choices add necessary tension to dialogueless moments with Jeff Paul...
Journalist:
Brett Epstein