Why can't we all just get along?  We just can't, that's why!,
playwright Bruce Norris seems to say in his hilarious,
provocative and achingly sad "Clybourne Park."  It's not only
matters of race, though that's Topic A making the play's
characters so uncomfortable that they say and do the wrong
things, whether with the best intentions or, frankly, bad ones.
But also spouse to spouse, neighbor to neighbor, all the
relationships depicted are studies in miscommunication, causing
the hapless participants endless irritation, flaring tempers,
even threats of violence.  The most-acclaimed and prize-laden
new play of the past few years, "Clybourne Park" lives up to its
reputation in the Alley Theatre's expert Houston premiere. An
inspired piece of writing brilliantly realized in every respect,
this is a major achievement for the company and must-see theater
for all.  Norris' ingenious premise uses Lorraine Hansberry's
1959 classic "A Raisin in the Sun" as launching pad. Act 1, set
in 1959, views that play's situation