As I Lay Dying

May 2004, The Ohio Theater, New York City &
December 2002, Chashama Theater, New York City
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”How does one translate a peek into the minds of a poor, southern, gothic family into dialogue? How does one create an action-filled plot out of the cyclical, repetitive, detached consciousness of these characters? How does one dramatize such a literary text and still retain its author’s signature poetry and subtle irony? These questions, and others, are answered with ingenuity and boldness in this production. Performed by an impressive and intelligent cast, the text comes to life in a way that is sharp and intense and darkly comic. Grosso directs the play with strength and artfulness ... seamlessly and lovely design... the ensemble work is pitch perfect... Engaging, poetic, and clever, this play is a must see.”
- Julie Sharbutt, OFFOFFONLINE.COM

"Director Grosso, helms a starkly beautiful version.... The audience knows this is the stuff of good theater: Something will be made of almost nothing.... (Adaptations) always call for excellent ensemble work. As I Lay Dying is no exception either in its demand or in how the demand is met. Director Grosso has brought together a handsome cast... "
- David Finkle, THEATERMANIA.COM

"The gutsiest, craziest adaptation effort I can remember, Andrew Grosso and the Basement Flat company take on AS I LAY DYING... a noble job!"
- Helen Shaw, NY SUN
“This is an ambitious and praiseworthy undertaking.”
- Victor Gluck, BACKSTAGE

“As I Lay Dying marks my introduction to the theatre work of Andrew Grosso; this talented young man, who adapted this play from William Faulkner's novel and also directed it, is definitely someone to keep an eye on. His achievement here is to make a big novel into a stageworthy drama; with one eye on storytelling and the other on economical presentation he has rather miraculously managed to do justice to a host of colorful characters and storylines in a tiny basement theatre space (a former meat locker!) with eleven actors, a rickety bed, a dozen chairs, and little else. Grosso and his actors render the tale with vivid detail; it's an enormously successful demonstration. Grosso has earned a fan here; I will eagerly look forward to what he does next.”
- Martin Denton, NYTheatre.com