In a program note to "Lava," Richard Foreman suggests that his new play "may at first seem even a bit more perplexing than the 'unbalancing acts' that are performed" in his other works. Theatergoers are forewarned and forearmed. For 20 years, this author and director has been offering ideographic emanations of his inner life. In a sense, he posts road maps without destinations. As with "Lava," the journey is intriguing, although the extent of the interest depends on one's willingness to indulge the playwright's fancifulness.

The plays are mysteries, and some are so elusive as to defeat even the most diligent of private investigators. All a theatergoer can hope to do is to collect clues and leap to conclusions, especially difficult in the case of "Lava."

Review/Theater; On a Feather-Strewn Stage, Multiple Flights of Fancy

By Mel Gussow

New York Times

Published: December 13, 1989