During the leaderless 60’s a fatherless teen
struggles to escape the chaos of his
suburban family via an artistic vision.
The Harbor Theatre
Comic Drama 3m, 3f
…a tender and affecting coming-of-age story… Warmflash has crafted the piece commendably, with lots of winning and often funny dialogue
…the story is always compelling and engaging. In the end, Shortly After Takeoff reminded me of The Glass Menagerie and Broadway Bound with its theme of a young man getting ready to take leave of his domineering mother…
Warmflash has directed his own script skillfully in this first full production from Harbor Theatre Company.
Martin Denton
nytheatre.com
Shortly After Takeoff’s strength lies in its poignant characters. Writer Stuart Warmflash has created characters that are human in both their flaws and triumphs as they tackle universal issues — the tragedy of losing a loved one, the pain of being an outcast and, in Ethan’s case, solving the mysteries of the opposite sex.
Finally, Ethan must decide what to do to make his own fairy tale come true. Earlier, Frank Sinatra seemed to tell him that all he had to do was to be young at heart…but he has his own thoughts, inspired by his conversation with E. B. White: “It’s a wonderful way to spend one’s life — pursuing someone, or something, you love.” The captivated audience cannot help but agree.
Miriam R. Haier
Senior Director of External Affairs at the Museum of Jewish Heritage
