“This (The Misunderstanding) was an extraordinary night of theatre. Camus’s play is so dark, so full of deep dwelling into profound ideas. The art design was alluring. It was stunning to watch the actors throw so much into their roles. One of the best plays I’ve seen this year.”<\/p>\r\n

Audience Member<\/p>\r\n

Is it theater? I guess it is, but I don’t feel comfortable describing it as that. It’s art. It’s therapy. It’s history. BETC  puts on more than productions, they put on classes. When I saw “There Is Another Court,” I was left not only with the feeling of having just witnessed great theater, but having been taught- about the people, the events, and above all, about myself. There were times when I felt as though Hannah Cranton (who played JonBenet Ramsey) was looking only at me. Like she knew that I was the person in the audience to be directing her feelings toward. It shook me up in a way that I’ve neglected to allow happen before. To see a BETC production is brave and it is necessary. You will question things you’ve known to be true. Vahdat Yeganeh knows how to make people uncomfortable in a way that they will be thankful for later. I know I was.<\/p>\r\n

Mollie Grewe, Audience Member<\/p>\r\n

“BETC doesn\u2019t want you to be comfortable. I have been to every production and I know their game by now. They want to light a spark in you, and once it\u2019s lit, throw some gasoline on it. I don\u2019t even try to describe to friends what a BETC show is like anymore because everyone gets something different out of it. I just tell them to come, and the look on their face walking out says it all. BETC is pushing an edge, and it\u2019s a thrilling and satisfying ride. Go”<\/p>\r\n

Josh Vajcovec, Audience Member<\/p>\r\n

“Excellent work! The productions I saw were highly inventive, very imaginatively directed, committed and dedicated productions. Vahdat’s work is experimental and theatrical in the good sense of the words; it’s innovative without being pretentious. It held my interest throughout the evening. I highly recommend his efforts.”<\/p>\r\n

Daniel Gidron, Director<\/p>\r\n

Vahdat Yeganeh’s production of “There Is Another Court” is by far the most emotionally intense show I’ve seen performed on “stage”.  From  the dark psychedelic stage design to the frighteningly real performances he was able to elicit from his actors, Vahdat created a theater experience both deep and disturbing. To be honest, after leaving the theater I didn’t want to have sex for several days.  That takes quite a lot.<\/p>\r\n

Ben Howe, Audience Member<\/p>\r\n

The BETC\u2019s latest production (There Is Another Court) really represented a step forward in my view.  The dramatic elements – the acting, subject, script and pace \u2013 were excellent as usual.  However, in this production these elements were combined with spot-on lighting, music and stage settings, all of which combined to result in a powerfully complete work.  I also enjoyed the way modern dramatic elements were blended with the traditional.  Vadat\u2019s work continues to progress, and I\u2019m looking forward to whatever is next.<\/p>\r\n

John Wiberg, Audience Member<\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

“As we left the theatre, a falling mist had hung every bare twig with a dewdrop that twinkled in the streetlights. By dawn they will all have frozen into crystal diamonds. The glass door before we waited for a bus superimposed a reflection of those trees on the composition of a grey-carpeted staircase. Great theater tends to pry open the eyes as well as the mind, making everything look — and feel — different. Was the little over an hour of “Crying Deer” theater? or dance? a movement-piece?”<\/p>\r\n

BETC\u2019s production of \u201cThere Is Another Court\u201d beamed me back to my first visit to what I thought was a women’s clothing store called the Filly Filly in Grundy Virginia. That slow creepiness up my spine at the section of “6 months and under pageant ware” and makeup for toddlers gripped me again at the start of this play- and kept me. My reaction in that store was to laugh and mock- to raised eyebrows of locals. I was forced again to try to find the line between what innocently appears as someone else’s normal vs. what could arguably be a human right abuse (sexualizing children). Bravo for raising consciousness.<\/p>\r\n

Kris Butler, Audience Member<\/p>\r\n

“It was not until recently that I was truly introduced to live theater. Until I married a theater buff, I was pretty much ignorant of what the theater had to offer. Slowly though, I began to get exposed to various productions, both dramatic and musical, and I became increasingly interested in seeing more. It was not long after this that I met Vahdat Yeganeh, an aspiring actor\/writer\/director recently in the U.S. from Iran. I was fortunate enough to witness the growth of Mr. Yeganeh from director of children\u2019s theater productions to what can only be described as the most interesting theatrical mind I\u2019ve encountered in my short experience with the theater. His two latest productions, \u201cCrying Deer\u201d and \u201cPlay  Strindberg\u201d, have managed to completely warp my sense of what a creative artist is capable of doing to his audience. No shit. Never in my life have I ever expected to watch two puppets make love just a few feet from me, nor have I ever expected to literally feel a room fill with raw emotion. Now though, I can say I have done both. I will enthusiastically continue to support Mr. Yeganeh in all his future projects. If not for the shear enjoyment of seeing quality, local theater, then for the opportunity to have me mind blown over and over.”<\/p>\r\n

Chris Synnott, Audience Member<\/p>\r\n

“Crying Deer is a show that stays with you. The show ends, the actors bow, and you will sit there: processing, feeling, thinking. The hours and days will go by, and suddenly you will remember a particular scene, or expression, or emotion. That is, I imagine, precisely what the director envisioned. A drama that captures the audience, not just in the theater, but in their lives. A show that speaks to each in his own way, that is open to interpretation. I can’t stop thinking about what I saw, and felt, on that stage. It keeps coming back to me, and it compels me to see it again. Crying Deer is an ambiguous, emotional, heartfelt production. Its uniqueness cannot be adequately expressed in words, and thus must be experienced firsthand.”<\/p>\r\n

Carlin Weaver, Audience Member<\/p>\r\n

“Crying Deer” was a unique and thought provoking theater event for me — at times perplexing, even confusing, but once captured by it’s spell, a completely absorbing and uplifting experience.<\/p>\r\n

Chris Lucas, Audience Member<\/p>\r\n

“I greatly enjoyed Vahdat\u2019s production of Crying Deer.  Despite the experimental nature of the production I found it accessible, and for me the poignancy and relevance shone through.  I am anxious to see what Vahdat\u2019s next project will bring.”<\/p>\r\n

John Wiberg, Audience Member<\/p>\r\n

“In January my wife and I attended “Crying Deer,” created by Vahdat Yeganeh.  Neither my wife nor I regularly attend theatrical events, and wouldn’t have given “Crying Deer” a second thought except we know Vahdat and a couple of the actors, and they were justifiably enthusiastic about the show.  “Crying Deer” existed in a communication space, using sound, light, movement, expression, and gesture, with the normally dominant element of speech removed.  Still, communication occurred and was often intense.  The play encouraged, and maybe even demanded that I enhance my own ability to communicate without speech in order to participate in what was happening around me.  As a result of that experience my wife and I expect to attend any creation\/production by Mr. Yeganeh and look forward to the next opportunity.”<\/p>\r\n

Leo Keightley, Audience Member<\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"