Directing Reviews
“Pyrates was Theatre Coup d'Etat's most recent offering and also its final offering, at least in the Twin Cities, as James Napoleon Stone, the company's founding artistic director and visionary, is relocating to Chicago, a loss for us and a big gain for the Windy City. As a parting gift, Stone has written, directed and–though not in the plan–stage managed Pyrates, and it is a great gift indeed, though it makes their leaving all the more of a blow. It was a worthy last hurrah for a scrappy company that never failed to imbed their work with imagination and intelligence. I hope that in some future season I find my way to Chicago and discover that Theatre Coup d'Etat has risen anew. There is certainly a great deal of life left in James Napoleon Stone's artistic vision.”
Pyrates by James Napoleon Stone
Moby Dick by James Napoleon Stone“Adapter and director, James Napoleon Stone, makes a bold choice having the women actually playing women in a time and in an industry that staunchly and intentionally left them out. He changes pronouns according to how each individual actor identifies and it absolutely works. It’s not a statement, it’s not imposing anything on the show or the characters, it’s simple and believable and becomes a necessary part of this mercurial world.”
“James Napoleon Stone's new adaptation of Moby Dick makes the case for Herman Melville's 1851 novel as an American epic of Shakespearian scope. There's high drama as well as low comedy, with plenty of poetic monologues for a deeply flawed yet sympathetically drawn leader.”
- Jay Gabler, City Pages
“Theatre Coup d’Etat has staged a fluidly lovely production of The Tempest with an eye to the sorcery elements that infuse William Shakespeare’s fantastical late career masterwork. Some believe it was the Bard’s last play. From the first moments when three spirit characters initiate the action by streaming into the SpringHouse Ministry sanctuary with flourish, the audience is swept into a mesmerizing ensemble experience directed by James Napoleon Stone.”
The Tempest by William Shakespeare- John Townsend, Lavender Magazine
Equus by Peter Shaffer“James Napoleon Stone has directed the current Theatre Coup d'Etat production of Equus with bold and penetrating power. Shaffer’s is a drama which, if misdirected, could lead us to take sides against various characters. But Stone rightly disallows us that. We seriously doubt the conclusions many of them have drawn, yet we feel an aching sympathy, if not empathy for them, knowing they’ve done the best they can with the understandings they possess. We are also left with the idea that desire is often very, very mysterious. Moreover, this production makes it clear that Shaffer is warning against the damaging psychic impact that religious images we take for granted can make on impressionable minds.”
- John Townsend, Lavender Magazine
"You can't ask for much more than that from theater - a beautifully written, thought-provoking, disturbing play with wonderfully real and raw performances by the small cast in a space that adds to the tone of the show, that has a lasting impact on the audience."
One Flea Spare by Naomi Wallace- Jill Schafer, Cherry & Spoon
“Coup d’Etat’s production, under the ballsy direction of James Napoleon Stone, grabs onto this script with both hands and shakes it until all its secrets come tumbling out. The play may be set in 1670s England, but the subjects it wrestles with are things we all struggle with today. The story is vividly alive.”
- Matthew Everett, Twin Cities Daily Planet
A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams“It is very easy to get Streetcar tragically wrong, falling into the trap of trying to recreate the lighting in a bottle that was the film, or trying so hard to not be like it that you do nothing. Theater Coup d'état threads that very fine needle of reminding us of what we love about Williams's play while bringing new light to a classic. Crisp direction, and strong performances add up to a wonderful evening of entertainment, highly recommended.”
- Justin Kirkberg, Candid Theatre Co.