THE PRINCE OF ATLANTIS: 95% – SWEET

Matthew Arkin and John Kapelos in "The Prince of Atlantis" at South Coast Rep. Credit: Henry DiRocco.

BITTERSWEET
A good percentage of Saturday’s matinee audience at South Coast Repertory, where the work is having its world premiere, seemed to eat it up. I found it contrived and tedious, but as dramedies (awful word) go, it hits all the requisite emotional marks while cracking just enough jokes to be labeled harmlessly diverting, at least by those who don’t have any problems with ethnic caricature.
Charles McNulty – LA Times

SWEET
Miles and Kevin’s simpatico is no accident. Drukman skillfully uses a confluence of parents and their sons to make his premise and themes resonate, and his artful denouement ties this sentimental sitcom’s loose ends together in symmetrical fashion.
Eric Marchese – Backstage

SWEET
A strong core of emotional believability and thematic interest inhabits Steven Drukman’s “The Prince of Atlantis.”
Bob Verini – Variety

SWEET
But even in its early form, the story is seductive. We’re drawn into this world of quistya mushes spouting overchay and inga, and we’re invested enough to shed a tear or two when we learn the truth about Kevin and his past. Those audience sniffles were audible proof that “The Prince of Atlantis” has a powerful emotional payoff.
Paul Hodgins – OC Register

SWEET
This World Premiere at the South Coast Repertory proves to be a success while delving into family and self-discovery.
Peter A. Balaskas – LASplash

SWEET
Then, about midway through, The Prince Of Atlantis starts to exert its magic and becomes something a good deal more special as its characters begin to snap, crackle, and pop, an unexpected bond is formed, a third-act twist occurs—and presto voilà, Drukman’s play turns into, if not Must See Theater, at the very least something well worth checking out.
Steven Stanley – StageSceneLA

SWEET
In any case, it’s a journey worth taking under Warner Shook’s careful direction, and the cast is compelling.
Jordan Young – LA Examiner

SWEET
The comical, sometimes touching play is currently enjoying a fully-staged World Premiere production at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa through April 29.
Michael L. Quintos – BroadwayWorld

SWEET
Though suffused with moments of intense emotion, the play is also a rollicking good time.
Joel Beers – OC Weekly

SWEET
By the end of the play, both it and one of the brothers have earned our respect, thanks to the audience-friendly arc of slouch makes good and Drukman’s sly allusions to Shakespeare themes and scenes, particularly from Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark.
Cristofer Gross – TheaterTimes

SWEET
As yet incapable of making critical decisions about his own heart, Miles seeks guidance and approbation from floundering Kevin while flirting with Joey’s streetwise girlfriend Connie (a delightful Nike Doukas), and the startling results are equal parts pleasure and pathos.
Brian – OutWestArts

THE PRINCE OF ATLANTIS
South Coast Repertory
655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays, 2:30 and 8 p.m.
Saturdays, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sundays
Ends April 29, 2012
Tickets: $20-$68. (714) 708-5555
Running time: 1 hour, 35 minutes