“Wolpe brilliantly owns the stage.
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“Lisa Wolpe’s solo show brings wry humor and Shakespearean insight to a range of wrenchingly difficult subject maOers, including sexism, domes-c abuse, suicide, and the Holocaust. Weaving monologues from her favorite male Shakespeare roles—Lear, Hamlet, Shylock—with reflec-ons on her family history, Wolpe explores her fascina-on with upending gender conven-ons as a way to reclaim power in the face of a trauma-c past. Many of her family members died in the Holocaust; her father, who confronted Nazis in baOle, commiOed suicide when she was four. Several surviving rela-ves similarly self-destructed, while, for Wolpe, founding the Los Angeles Women’s Shakespeare
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Company became a form of salva-on. … it’s hard not to credit Wolpe for fearlessness, sincerity, and good humor.
“ROMEO AND JULIET (1993) LAWSC Directed by Lisa WolpeA watershed effort…staged with imagination, taste and passion by Lisa Wolpe, who also plays Romeo. A stirring production, rife with rich performances… a gilt-edged ensemble. The gender gap is erased by actors who enact their roles with style and individual characterization.
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“This is simply good, solid Shakespeare, thoughtfully staged and performed…Shakespeare lovers should hie themselves posthaste to the Odyssey for an evening of the real thing.
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“OTHELLO (1994) Director Lisa Wolpe has led her large cast with a sure hand…Not only does this distinctive version of Othello prove that “a man should be what he seems,” but it also illustrates that a woman can be whatever she wants to be .
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“Hamlet proves anew how viscerally effective women can be in the great Shakespearean roles. A case in point is Lisa Wolpe. Intense and boyish, Wolpe mitigates the Dane’s melancholy with a highly developed sense of irony that persists until the last gasp. It’s a convincingly sexy performance, whatever your gender.
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“Los Angeles Women’s Shakespeare Company has once again tackled one of the Bard’s masterpieces and conquered it with bravura. This time out it’s Hamlet, featuring a title role that is universally regarded as one of the most psychologically complex character studies of all time…Wolpe fully embodies Hamlet and brings a veritable rainbow of emotions to the role. This is a Hamlet to be studied and savored, a revelation for newcomers to the text and a fresh awakening for veterans.
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“This production by the Los Angeles Women’s Shakespeare Company proves definitely that women can stage classic, gripping Shakespeare with the best of them.. . Othello shows that authentic human drama can easily cross the gender gap.
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“an engaging, heartrending, sa-sfying -me in the theatre.
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“The best reason to see this Richard III is it’s taut, superb acting. Lisa Wolpe delivers an overwhelming, hypnotic portrayal of the dominating central figure. Her inspiration and energy never flag as she imparts shape and depth to Richard’s Machiavellian nature, whether he be carrying out his villainous sexual stratagems … Even hardened skeptics will be convinced by this brilliant, revelatory staging by the Los Angeles Women’s Shakespeare Company
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