Trying Reviews
Washington Post- Recommended
"...Moreover, Sedar doesn't pull off the admittedly tricky task of letting enough diverse emotional colors seep through Biddle's repetitive crotchetiness. The judge's talk becomes too one-note, and fleeting references that could help us feel, rather than just intellectually recognize, the weight of history - Biddle's regret over the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, for instance - lack resonance. AD There is never any doubt about where the Sarah/Biddle relationship is heading, and the journey there is leisurely. Still, audiences who enjoy a grammar lesson with their straightforward, feel-good stories may find "Trying" worth trying."
DC Theater Arts- Recommended
"...Being so different in background and outlook, you might expect that Sarah and Biddle would do nothing but "try" each other's spirits. In fact, in the short time that they spend together, they create a rare, caring atmosphere made up of respect and the uncommon nature of friendship. Thanks to Glass and Levy, the flowering of this extraordinary environment is viewed with no sentimentality, just the straightforward illogic of mutual understanding."
MD Theatre Guide- Recommended
"...This is a show worth seeing—it’s a timely reminder that there are depths to everyone, and there is beauty in taking the time to uncover them (Biddle might have started life as a privileged Republican, but he turned Democrat in his 50s, when Sarah was a child, and proudly so). Change is possible at every life stage, and this show illuminates how allowing lives to touch, in acceptance and compassion and humor, can enrich us and teach us, gently and lovingly."
DCTheatreScene- Recommended
"...Amanda Forstrom puts a strong and sympathetic performance as his new secretary, foil and companion. Smartly dressed in perfect period outfits thanks to designer Moyenda Kulemeka, Forstrom’s portrayal of Sarah’s gentle but firm independence and strong “spine” – a main requirement for Biddle’s secretaries – brings to life the delicate relationship at the heart of the play."
BroadwayWorld- Recommended
"...Trying will resonate best with older generations, but I still found it highly relatable. My co-workers giggle when I admit I've never used a typewriter, and despite my best efforts, I roll my eyes every time someone asks me how to use Excel. Over 50 years after Judge Biddle's death, everyone in every office in America is still trying. As a lifelong Washingtonian, I loved the references to my hometown, even the ones that I had to Google when I left the theater."