''Almost an Evening'' is a series of three one act plays written by

Academy Award The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...

winner

Ethan Coen Joel Daniel Coen (born November 29, 1954) and Ethan Jesse Coen (born September 21, 1957),State of Minnesota. ''Minnesota Birth Index, 1935–2002''. Minnesota Department of Health. collectively known as the Coen brothers (), are American film ...

and directed by Neil Pepe. It premiered Off-Broadway in January 2008 at the

Atlantic Theater Company Atlantic Theater Company is an Off-Broadway non-profit theater, whose mission is to produce great plays "simply and truthfully utilizing an artistic ensemble." The company was founded in 1985 by David Mamet, William H. Macy, and 30 of their act ...

Stage 2. After its initial run through February 10, 2008 it was transferred to the

Bleecker Street Theater The Lynn Redgrave Theater was an Off-Broadway theater located in New York City, New York, that was previously known as the Bleecker Street Theater and 45 Bleecker Street Theater, the theater name was changed in 2013. The theatre is named after a ...

. ''Almost an Evening'' began previews March 20, 2008 and ran through June 1, 2008.Almostanevening.com
/ref> The commercial run is the first partnership with Art Meets Commerce and the Atlantic Theater Company.

Plays

*Waiting – Someone waits somewhere for quite some time. *Four Benches – His voyage to self-discovery takes a British intelligence agent to steam baths in New York and Texas, and to park benches in the U.S. and U.K. *Debate – Cosmic questions are taken up. Not much is learned.

Characters and casts

;Atlantic Theatre Company Cast *

F. Murray Abraham F. Murray Abraham (born Murray Abraham; October 24, 1939) is an American actor. Known for his roles on stage and screen, he came to prominence for his acclaimed leading role as Antonio Salieri in the drama film '' Amadeus'' (1984) for which he wo ...

- Control/God Who Judges * J.R. Horne - Mr.Broodhum/Angel 2/Understudy * Jordan Lage - Mr. Sebatacheck/Texan/Young Man *

Mark Linn-Baker Mark Linn-Baker (born June 17, 1954) is an American actor and director who played Benjy Stone in the film ''My Favorite Year'' and Larry Appleton in the television sitcom '' Perfect Strangers''. Early life and education Mark Linn-Baker was bo ...

- McMartin/God Who Loves *Mary McCann - Receptionist/Young Woman * Del Pentecost - Polhemus/Earl/Angel 1 *

Joey Slotnick Joseph Slotnick (born October 2, 1968) is an American film actor and voice actor. He is known for roles in ''Twister'' (1996), ''Hollow Man'' (2000), ''Elevator'' (2011), ''The Single Guy'' (1995–1997), and ''Nip/Tuck'' (2003-2006). Life and c ...

- Nelson/Waiter *

Jonathan Cake Jonathan James Cake (born 31 August 1967) is an English actor who has worked on various TV programmes and films. His notable screen roles include Jack Favell in '' Rebecca'' (1997), Oswald Mosley in '' Mosley'' (1997), Japheth in the NBC telev ...

- One/Maitere D' *Elizabeth Marvel - Woman with Pram/Lady Friend ;Bleecker Street Theatre Cast *

- Control/God Who Judges * J.R. Horne - Mr.Broodhum/Angel 2/Understudy * Jordan Lage - Mr. Sebatacheck/Texan/Young Man *

- McMartin/God Who Loves *Mary McCann - Receptionist/Young Woman * Del Pentecost - Polhemus/Earl/Angel 1 *

- Nelson/Waiter *

Tim Hopper Tim Hopper is an American actor known for his appearances in movies like '' Tenderness'' and ''To Die For''. He has been an ensemble member of the Steppenwolf Theater Company in Chicago, Illinois since 1988 and acted in various stage product ...

- One/Maitere D' *

Johanna Day Johanna Day (born 1964) is an American actress. She was nominated for two Tony Awards for her performances in the 2000 play '' Proof'' and the 2016 production of the play ''Sweat''. Her other accolades include a Helen Hayes Award and an Obie A ...

- Woman with Pram/Lady Friend

Critical response

Head Critic for ''The New York Times'', Ben Brantley stated:'

br> “Tasty, bite-sized comedies. Nimbly directed by Neil Pepe. Theatergoers nostalgic for the urbane, mind-teasing divertissements that once flourished Off-Broadway should leave happily hungry. A dream team.” Melissa Rose Bernardo from ''Entertainment Weekly'' stated:'

br> “Boisterous and fun ..Coen couldn’t ask for a better production than this Atlantic Theater Company treatment.” Linda Winer from ''Newsday'' Stated:'

br> “Gleeful, thoughtful and darkly loopy. These new, lean pieces mark the serious stage debut of a shrewd and weirdly endearing comic voice.”

References

{{Reflist

External links

Internet Off-Broadway Database listing, "Almost an Evening", partial
2008 plays Off-Broadway plays One-act plays American plays