BERNIE (STEPHANIE GOULD), ALTERNATELY DOCILE AND DEMANDING, RUDE AND SWEET, STUBBORN AND ACCOMMODATING, SETS THE PACE OF THE VINCOLOS’ EXISTENCE…THE CAST ESCHEWS ACTORLY FIREWORKS, STARTING WITH MS. GOULD, WHO HERSELF HAS A MILD FORM OF CEREBRAL PALSY AND DOES NOT SHY FROM BERNIE’S DIFFICULT SIDE.
Elisabeth Vincentelli, The New York Times
Stephanie Gould plays Bernie as written, declining to soft-pedal her most grating characteristics while effectively communicating her painful vulnerability. It’s easy to see why she both inspires so much affection and frustration; she demands everything from her family while offering them only the opportunity to keep doing more. It’s a very brave performance.
David Barbour, Lighting and Sound America
