Reviews

"Playwright Joseph Reed Hayes captured the essence of the Jewish spirit in A Little Crazy, a beautifully written and acted drama that was among the best of the 28 shows I saw." — Steve Schneider, Orlando Weekly

"Writer Joseph Reed Hayes has two nuggets of gold in A Little Crazy, a quiet little two-man comedy inspired by memories of his Russian Jewish grandfather. One is the character of Avram Mordecai Saltzman, who brings back to life the entire generation of immigrants who came to this country with the ways of the old country firmly entrenched. And the other is Orlando actor Paul Wegman, who turns Avram into a charmer who deserves many long and happy days. Hayes has set up his play, which was directed by Paula Rossman, as a dialogue between Avram, who is nearing the end of his life, and his nephew Harry (Matt Curless), born Chaim, a 35-year-old New Yorker with a problem committing to anybody or anything. Avram tells Harry stories — "the best way to learn something is to hear a story," he says — and eventually, after listening long enough, Harry learns. Hayes' work is appealing and sometimes downright lyrical. And Wegman makes it dance. " — Elizabeth Maupin, Orlando Sentinel

" 'By the way, I'm dying.' Well, we all are, ultimately, but for Avram Mordecai Saltzman (Wegman), the process is a bit more imminent. His liver is not what it used to be, and after 84 years, whose is? Rather than sweat away in alien south Florida, he's elected to spend his last few months as a nudge to his favorite nephew Chaim (Curless) in New York. Chaim has ditched as much of his Jewish roots as a possible under his health insurance, and even become Harry Bronski. Uncle Ave takes over the bedroom, the easy chair, and most of Harry's life, such as it is. Completely absorbed in his job, he has little time to date, and is in no danger of producing the greatest prize in the Jewish world — grandchildren. Uncle Ave takes up two great causes — yentl to Harry, arranging a relation ship with the mysterious Annie, and teaching him to be a good Jewish storyteller. By the time Ave passes away, a little progress is made — a date looms, and Harry is starting to tell good stories. There's no better comedian than a skeptical Jewish ancestor, and Wegman rolls out the stream of stories in the script with relish. Curless is a great foil. It's a sweet, funny story, lacking any malice, and not that much translation is needed for the goyim. Mazeltov!" — Carl F Gauze, Ink19

"That the [Eyewitness Theatre] reading was such a success considering its very American and particularly Jewish themes and humour is in no small part owing to the writing's lyrical structure. The actors found it delightfully challenging to work with. The dialogue was both native and universal at the same time and what impressed me most of all about the script was the way its message had an appeal to a wide audience crossing age and cultural boundaries with consummate ease." — Peter McGarry, Artistic Director, Eyewitness Theatre, England

"I always love the Fringe Festival ... Favorite playwright: Joe Hayes, author-author of A Little Crazy." — "Commander Coconut", columnist, Orlando Sentinel

"A Little Crazy focuses on the oftentimes turbulent, sometimes humorous relationship between an entertaining 84-year-old Polish immigrant and his more serious-minded great-nephew. Rife with Jewish humor, klezmer music and the comic talents of Paul M. Wegman (the artist formerly known as Miss P), the production dishes up biting comedy and fuzzy-warm drama all on a bed of original music written by New York composer Brian Groder." — Dennis T. Giacino & Fiely A. Matias, Watermark