Three Men in a Boat (To say nothing of the Dog) at Synetic Theater

Washington Post - Somewhat Recommended

"...But the tone isn't always boisterous: In one lyrical moment, Jerome waxes philosophical as he contemplates the night sky (effectively summoned by lighting designer Brittany Diliberto). Later on, the travelers fall into self-pitying melancholy, thanks to a recent shocking surprise, exacerbated by the discomforts of camping out. George attempts to lighten their spirits by twanging on the banjo he had the foresight to bring."

Washingtonian - Recommended

"...The high energy involved in preparing for the trip in Jerome's parlor drops a notch or two once the fellows hit the river; the longueur, however, doesn't last long. A series of comical crises soon plague the adventurers: No mustard for the beef-tragedy! No opener for the tin of pineapple-horrors! The slapstick ballet (the choreography is by Irina Tsikurishvili) as they try to open the tin serves up a little treat within the treat that is the show. With middle-class men of their era cooking for themselves, digestive distress must occur, as happens after they consume a dubious Irish stew of their own making. Montmorency, always in the thick of things, suffers a bit of doggy flatulence, and later confronts a battle-scarred tomcat on shore, to his regret."

DC Theater Arts - Recommended

"...The story itself is not compelling by any stretch of the imagination. Written by Jerome, a wannabe man-of-letters, soon after his marriage and honeymoon on the Thames, the account covers a holiday trip up the river, complete with mentions of important sites and famous landmarks. For the novella, Jerome replaces his new bride with two trustworthy old men friends; then, he added a fictional dog."

ShowBizRadio - Recommended

"...The production features fine work by Getman as the physically hearty George, Jansen as the reflective Harris who finds church grave yards places of interest, and Story as the instigator and narrator Jerome. Mills is outfitted as Montmorency, a fox terrier with a mind of his own. The story begins by introducing all the characters as they are spending an evening together; drinking, smoking and discussing their various illnesses as they read over the Merck manual of the day. Between their hypochondria and a sense of overwork, a holiday is in order. And so a boating trip up the River Thames and back over for a fortnight is in order. It is to be with physical labor of rowing and camping out-of-doors as a form of recreation. Right!"

MD Theatre Guide - Recommended

"...Three Men in a Boat (to say nothing of the dog) takes us on a deliciously amusing voyage filled with surprises along the way that inspire and emphasize the growth of camaraderie and team spirit."

DCTheatreScene - Recommended

Arlington’s Synetic Theater, showered with superlatives for its moody goth fantasias and wordless “Silent Shakespeare” series, is tentatively emerging from its comfort zone in concluding its 2013/14 season with a new trick: A chatty adaptation of Victorian humorist Jerome K. Jerome’s Three Men in a Boat (To say nothing of the Dog).