In addition to rave reviews, A Love Lost Life has received an extraordinary amount of press attention. This is due in part to the phone conversations that author David Barnes had with Christian Brando, the character Barnes plays in the show. Christian actually read and approved of Barnes' script before he died, one month later.

A Love Lost Life was written in the winter of 2006 and would later debut at the Orlando International Fringe Theater Festival in May 2007. The production was only a three character, 30-minute piece at that time.

Five cities and many performances later, the show has grown to a full length, one-act drama with an nine member cast.

Here's what the critics have been saying!:

“'A Love Lost Life', is as compelling as the fine piece of revealing theater that is presented."

     --ShowBiz Chicago

"Ashkenas remains a contender"

     --Time Out Chicago

"Barnes strikes fire"

     --Chicago Theater Blog

"Barnes' performance as Christian [Brando] is powerfully kinetic..."

     -- Chicago Free Press

"...Brilliant insight...Fantastically written...Don't miss!"

     -- Thatcher Wiliiams (Theater for a Change-Des Moines, IA)

"Barnes is clearly onto something stage worthy with the Brando family melodrama..."

     -- Hap Erstein (The Palm Beach Post)

"Robert Ashkenas delivers a spot on Brando that transcends mere impersonation, and writer/actor David Barnes gives a chilling performance in this tightly crafted insightful drama. A MUST SEE!!"

     -- Frank McClain (Orlando Opera Company)

"A Very thought provoking and sensitive portrayal of an American Icon. KUDOS!"

     -- What's Happening Orlando Magazine

"...This is good and interesting material, ably acted and deftly presented, without flourishes or gimmicks, in a very intimate way that makes each audience member feel as though he or she is being privately taken into confidence...This touching drama is definitely worth seeing."

     -- Michael Wanzie (Wanzie.com, 104.1 REAL Radio)

"...This is Brando's story, after all, in all its bleakness and faded glory. His life might be too much for any single documentary or play, but the loose framework of his children's failures gives it just enough focus."

     -- Tod Caviness (Orlando Sentinel)

"I could not keep my eyes off the stage!"

     -- Christine Borrack (WRPB Radio)

Scenes from A Love Lost Life

Click on the links below to view the production photos.