Here are some capulsated reviews
pertaining to the World Premiere of "Next Window, Please" at the Group Rep

“The Group Rep has a success on its hands with the World Premiere of award-winning playwright Doug Haverty’s new dramedy … an intimate look at the lives of six ethnically diverse women … Each performance creates a picture into their lives … Haverty’s script delivers six strong, straight-forward women who take the ‘bull by the horns’… The tellers tell us — in vignettes — their stories, all of them different, but all people we may know in our own lives … This talented ensemble cast performs together with grace and ease, and Richard Alan Woody’s direction is perfectly matched with Doug Haverty’s excellent script. Terrific set design by Chris Winfield and Richard Alan Woody enhance the production. This is an extremely enjoyable evening with a storyline very
relevant to today.”            — Cathy Wayne | NoHo Arts District

“In a time when the economic crisis and banking madness runs rampant, this is an entertaining but realistic look at the financial issues and changes we all deal with today. Written with a lot of heart by award-winning playwright Doug Haverty ... we are privvy to the histories and personal stories of these multi-ethnic bank employees whose jobs are in danger. Under the skilled directorial vision of Richard Alan Woody, the entire vivacious cast fares well. One after another ... they held us captive, alternating quirky, touching and fun antics as a group with in depth and heartfelt monologue moments weaved in ... riveting performances ... slick and eye popping set. This is an enjoyable, funny and thought-provoking journey, with plenty to ponder in between the chuckles.”
                                         — Pat Taylor | The Tolucan Timesall deal with today. Written with a lot of heart by award-winning“... playwright

“... playwright Doug Haverty deposits several working-woman archetypes into a warm-hearted dramedy steeped in the current economic malaise ... much to its credit, starting with actors Stephanie Colet, Gina Yates, Bianca Gisselle, Shelby Kocee and Trisha Hershberger, who are all adept, vivid and appealing as the surviving-from-paycheck-to-paycheck tellers who face termination. Haverty has a knack for charged exchanges and zingers ... interstitial monologues that underscore each woman’s dilemma, for example, are frequently arresting, perhaps the evening’s best writing ... it’s pleasant entertainment, sleekly appointed, certain to bring in the crowds.”
                                         — David C. Nichols | L.A. Timess

“... a slice of life drama about the inner workings of a bank centering around the tellers who comprise the banking team … commendable message during our troubled economic times … excellent cast and direction … genuinely crisp dialogue … the exchanges between the women tellers are real and completely believable, and each character is given two monologues to speak about their problematic personal lives, many of which are thoughtprovoking and quite touching … comraderie between the gals is what sustains the play and makes it interesting … The cast, under Dick Woody’s steady hand, are all terrific … sincerely moving … sheer delight … some wonderful, engrossing moments.”
                                       — Don Grigware | broadwayworld.com

“Haverty uses the small Santa Monica branch of a bank as the setting for his examination of the daily routine of these six vivacious, opinionated and financially-strapped working women … Scenes that chart their final workweek are intercut by insightful monologues as each character takes a turn in a spotlight to share personal confessionals with the audience … this device permits their individual stories to sneak into our hearts … heartfelt comedy … a feel-good tale of feminine camaraderie.”
                                       — Pauline Adamek | LA Weekly

“Employees at a small Santa Monica bank gamble on an uncertain world ... what is really going on behind the Plexiglas? An interesting device is the personal revelation, where each of the five gals talks directly to us, but only after getting the go-ahead from the ‘ding!’ of the Next Window, Please, chime ...We are invited into the hearts and minds of these gals .... There is much to like about this bright and shiny new play, especially the sharp and witty performances by seven very talented actors. Truly, the genius of the story is its timeliness and timelessness — it can easily play out in any era ... well directed by Richard Alan Woody ... a beautiful set by Winfield/Woody ... Steve Shaw designed the excellent, crisp and film-worthy sound design.”
                                       — Annemarie Donkin | The Topanga Messenger

“ ... you should definitely go see this new play ... in today’s tough times, when people are getting hurt unfairly, through no fault of their own, they can still maintain their human dignity and even nobility. Which is a worthy thing to be reminded of ... costume designer Angela M. Eads’s array of urban professional office outfits is understatedly spectacular.”
                                       — Lyle Zimskind | LAist

 

From GoldStar [Audience Member Reviews]:

— Good production. Good story.

— It was absolutely one of the most enjoyable plays I have attended! I brought 3 guests and we all raved about it on the way home! It keeps your attention and was so believable. A wonderful play for young and old!

— This was a wonderful evening at a delightful theater in North Hollywood. This is not the first Doug Havertyplay we have seen and I must say we enjoy his work immensely. If you are looking for insightful, fun entertainment please do yourself a favor and go see this play. You will also find moments filled with pathos. RECOMMENDED!

— Loved it! ... awesome!! As well as being a wonderful piece on current times with the economy, the play wasinfused with humor and was quite an enjoyable experience!

— The performance was humorous and entertaining. The play was well cast with seasoned performers. I wouldn’t mind seeing it again.
A refreshing comedy ...

— I enjoyed this play a lot! I thought it was a good mix of comedy and drama. It had very strong performances from everyone in the cast, and the writing and directing were both well done. It’s a nice, intimate venue and it doesn’t seem to have a bad seat in the house. RECOMMENDED!