EXCERPTS OF REVIEWS FROM WET’s WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION OF “ST. SCARLET”

“Despairing about the future of the theater? Find the business of the stage too cynical, merely a capillary of the vast, widget-making entertainment complex? It might do you good to pop in on "St. Scarlet”.... independent, enterprising young people doing polished, professional work, the kind that bespeaks attention to detail, respect for craft. “St. Scarlet” is enhanced by a production - directed by Chris Messina…The set is spot on…the costumes are equally good...the acting is thoughtful throughout.

The night I saw "St. Scarlet" the small theater was full, the audience mostly young and salted with actors I recognized from other downtown shows. They contributed to the feeling in the house that the enterprise of putting on a play is a worthy one, both joyful and serious. The energy and sincerity of aspiring artists filled the room, and it was infectious." - Bruce Weber, THE NEW YORK TIMES, Monday June 30th, 2003

“Julia Jordan is the playwright of the moment, with four plays scheduled for New York City productions this season. And if her first outing, “St. Scarlet” is typical of her work, this will be a red-letter year for audiences. Jordan crafts an often hilarious and, more surprisingly, moving meditation on the ties that bind both lovers and families, no matter how hard people try to break free. Chris Messina does a fine job of directing, keeping the proceedings believable even at their most extreme, and never letting the pacing flag. O’Connor is truly spectacular at bringing warmth and sympathy to the potentially annoying Ruby, while Dewitt, Martin and Michael Chernus are all very good. - Brian Scott Lipton, THE NEW YORK POST

“There is a generous heart at the center of this drama...you will root for these characters. This season could still turn out to be the year of the Jordan.” - Jason Zinoman, TIME OUT NEW YORK

“A sure-fire hit …Expect lovable characters, digestible themes, and a happy ending. St. Scarlet is full of intelligence and wit; even its title is a smart play on the concept of fractured identity.” - Adam Klasfeld, THEATERMANIA.COM

“Three snowbound siblings have to cope simultaneously with their mother’s death and a confrontational intruder in this play by a much touted newcomer, Julia Jordan. Her producers are WET ¯ that is, they’re Women’s Expressive Theater ¯ but they’re probably not all wet, since they’ve had the sense to hire one of New York’s more adventurous young actors, Chris Messina, to direct Jordan’s opus.” - Michael Feingold, THE VILLAGE VOICE

Critics Pick: TIME OUT NEW YORK, SHOWBUSINESS, THE VILLAGE VOICE