I’m annoyed with Shanley at this point. Every one of his works feels like he is trying to reach for a self-imposed sense of cleverness. This play feels like the epitome of that try-hard cleverness.

Also, I get the feeling that Shanley believes he will create provocative themes if he just repeats the symbolism/metaphors enough times until the point is hammered home. He’s no Stephen King, thank God(!), but there seems to be very little nuance or thoughtfulness to his use of repetition. The characters repeat their own motif over and over again. Conversations seem to go around in circles (this could have been a much shorter play if some trimming took place). The ending is convenient at best.

I felt close to nothing for these characters despite the desire to relate with Anthony. It is no fun to finish a play think that someone else should have written this piece.