Audience Reviews
Funny, off-beat, tragic and very entertaining. The writer has an original voice and creates a twisted, yet charming red neck world, and great actors bring it to life. I highly recommend, except that it’s finished its Fringe run.   --- Joe
Great performances, directing and imaginative writing. Thoroughly enjoyed the story and the acting was superb. Some very touching scenes and dialogue between Glendora and Paul and Paul and Angela.   --- Annie
"...Loved Heartbeat!!!! Heartbeat is probably the best show I’ve seen in a long time. The actors did a great job, making the play so real and believable. The play was so beautifully written, although the show is a little bit over an hour I felt like I got so much depth from each of the characters. It made me believe like I have known the characters for ages! Mary’s direction was absolutely flawless, the flow of the play was beautiful. I loved the show so much, that I’m considering seeing it again on its last showing this saturday so I can bring some friends and show them what I’ve been raving about. I recommend that if you haven’t seen the show already you should go see it on its last showing this saturday, you won’t regret it! =)"   --- Desi
*****
"Miles Pawski’s Heartbeat is brought to life by a fantastic cast and laser sharp directing by Mary Powelson. The writing is sharp and witty and perfectly delivered by each of the actors. Sally Dana and Johnny Flannagan are pitch perfect leads as are Laura Lundy-Paine & Jackson Davis in their supporting roles. Really fun to watch all of them. Hope to see a full 90 minute production of this play in the future."   --- Deborah Wade
*****
"A real treat. These are seasoned actors who clearly bring much experience and genuine characterization to their parts in this well written, very entertaining and well directed play. Of special note are the parts played by Sally Dana And John Flanagan whose chemistry made for an absolutely authentic as well as entertaining performance. This was our first year attending Fringe Fest but we will always be back in the future. Thank you for a great experience!"   --- Giacoma
*****
"...Great script + great acting = really engaging performance. Actually this would make a pretty good film… and so I was wondering why it also made such good theater. Some guesses: quality writing & acting which lets you visualize locations that a film would simply shoot a kind of acting which is intimate and bears close scrutiny (of course, that’s what CU’s are for) but still, I could believe in these characters so much that when I saw the actors afterward in the cafe, I was a little jarred to hear they didn’t have those clenched-jaw Texas accents (sounding something like a certain ex-Pres we don’t miss), and that they were NOT really those people. The show was well over an hour, but I was so absorbed that it flew by. Congrats to all involved in Heartbeat. I’d see it again in a Heartbeat."   --- Geo
*****
".I was expecting good from the talented director and cast, but I was rewarded with great. Heartbeat is a tightly structured play that is both funny and touching, with biting wit and fully realized characters. The director, Mary Powelson, brought together a highly talented cast to give Miles Pawski’s Heartbeat a lively presentation that never misses a beat. Local actors John Flanagan and Sally Dana bring a depth to the lead characters that engenders true sympathy for their plight. Laura Lundy-Paine and Jackson Davis bring an immediacy to their parts that lifts them above the ordinary. The director and each actor gave flesh and bone to a play that made me laugh, cry, and think."   --- DD
*****
"Wonderful show, acting, writing and direction. Tight ensemble work make this a fringe favorite. Fully developed and executed characters, John Flannigan has just the right balance to make his character believable and sympathetic. Sally Dana presents a powerfully tortured character with some aggressively funny dialogue. Laura Lundy-Paine presents such a wonderfully sweet character that slowly evolves to expose a darker manipulative vein. Jackson Davis presents a great fall guy who wallows in strength and submissiveness. Great show! This is what the San Francisco Fringe festival is all about!"   --- Bob
*****
"An impressive quartet of actors carry this drama, particularly John Flanagan as the simple, honest and forthright Paul and Laura Lundy-Paine as a sweet, but deceptive Angela with a passell of secrets."   --- Jerry
*****
"I went to the opening night of Heartbeat and I was absolutely blow away! The cast was absolutely amazing! The story line brought out all types of emotion and as an audience member I felt each one. Amazingly well written and directed play, best show I’ve seen at the Fringe so far! Definitely Best of Fringe worthy!!!"   --- Gregg
*****
"Wow! The blend of characters in the cast was RIGHT ON! Sally Dana was a standout with her ability to be obnoxious, endearing, and so-o-o believable in her role as Glendora kudos to Sally’s incredible talent! Bring it to Seattle so I can see it again!"   --- Dixie Carter
*****
"Great script and fantastic acting. The one-liners kept me laughing, while the story kept me fully engaged. Don’t miss it!"   --- Sal
*****
"The lead performances were all fantastic. Sally Dana was a favorite! I was totally engaged in the story, and some of the lines (such as biscuit eating turd farmers) were priceless. I didn’t want the show to end!"   --- Mike M.
*****
"Captivating story brought alive by an amazing cast! Kudos to director Mary Powelson for capturing Miles Paswki’s witticism and creating a moving yet funny piece of theater. You will not want this show to end!"   --- Paola B.
*****
"You don’t expect to see something this good for only ten bucks! Astonishingly good performances by all the cast, particularly the two lead characters, played by John Flanagan and Sally Dana. The script is funny, witty, and also quite touching: this is a really good show! Should definitely win Best of the Fringe."   --- David J. Winter
*****
"A very engaging play punctuated with sarcastic dialogue from Sally Dana, who was a stand-out. All cast members were up to the task, but she was exceptional. The story-line could have been extended to a third act."   --- Pat Parly
*****
"I’m not a ‘theater person’, but for what it’s worth, ‘Heartbeat was terrific kudos to the ensemble(SP?) cast, the actors were all great, especially the two leads, just the right amount of stereotyping, yet believable, with out being over-acted. Great farce. Thanks for the great time. Sally was great! She does such a good hard-assed drunk."   --- Heather
*****
"A superbly written script (by Miles Pawski) and truly fantastic acting. Overall a fast-paced, witty and flawlessly directed play. Definitely worthy Best of the Fringe. I’d go see it again in a heartbeat. Don’t miss it!"   --- Brandon College Audience
*****
"Stellar acting, cleverly constructed story. All in all, a high-quality Fringe outing."   --- Nancy