Beyond Words Reviews
The Boston Globe- Highly Recommended
"...Under the inventive direction of Cassie Chapados, “Beyond Words” tracks the real-life 30-year relationship — it’s nothing less than that — between Alex and Dr. Irene M. Pepperberg, played by Stephanie Clayman."
WBUR- Recommended
"...The small but talented cast moves through schools and labs, depicting scientists at conferences and even another bird. But the dynamic Mootos, who switches from the (initially) doting husband to the cringey Howard Towers, is exceptionally engaging. Mootos’ Towers dons a silk-like scarf as a necktie, tinted glasses and is rumored to be a bit of a ladies’ man. Towers studies primates and in the show, his work fails to garner the results he might have hoped for. Nevertheless, he ends up in a position of power and looks down on Pepperberg’s work and her attachment to Alex."
The Arts Fuse- Recommended
"...Beyond Words is a love letter, of sorts. As Irene, Clayman shifts from narrator to character, which is an efficient way to keep the events moving along. As in real-life, Alex steals the show. Jon Vellante is mesmerizing playing the brainy bird: his intense focus, enhanced by subtle physical ticks, transforms him into the seminal African grey parrot. He gives us a fowl who is always listening to what is going on around him. Even when Alex is not in the scene, he’s present, and eavesdropping."
New England Theater Mirror- Highly Recommended
"...Beyond Words is the newest work stemming from the ongoing partnership between MIT and Central Square Theater, Catalyst Collaborative@MIT (CC@MIT). The intersection of the worlds of art and science spring to life, with at least one play per season being dedicated to science. Beyond Words dramatizes the 30-year research experiment by Dr. Irene Pepperberg and Alex, the African Grey Parrot. In a study of inter-species relationships, Pepperberg wades through personal and professional trenches in her quest to prove that humans are not the only species capable of communication."