Sunday, October 15, 2017

Jesus Hopped the A Train

Jesus Hopped the A Train
Signature Theatre
The Pershing Square Signature Center
October 14, 2017
 
Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre
“People think everything is replaceable.  Everything is not replaceable.  People believe they go through life accumulating things.  That is incorrect.  People go through life discarding things, tangible and intangible, replaceable and priceless,” says Corrections Officer Valdez (played by Ricardo Chavira) in Act I of Jesus Hopped the A Train.  Playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis’ brilliantly relates that statement to the value we put on not only human life, but our own existence.  This Signature Theatre production is spellbinding from the moment it begins, and intensely accelerates to a dramatic conclusion.

Edi Gathegi & Ricardo Chavira
Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre
When Angel Cruz (played by Sean Carvajal) is arrested for shooting a preacher in the ass, Mary Jane Hanrahan (played by Stephanie DiMaggio) is appointed his legal aid attorney.  He is verbally abusive to her at their first meeting.  When he openly admits doing the shooting, she explains it is in his best interest that she not represent him and that he not confess to his next appointed lawyer.  She is personally moved by the righteousness of his confession, and returns to visit him for the details of his story.  She decides to take his case when he reveals that the preacher he shot is a cult leader who brainwashed and stole his best friend.  When the preacher dies due to complications during surgery, Angel is charged with murder.  It is when Angel befriends serial killer Lucius Jenkins (played by Edi Gathegi) at Rikers that he begins to question his actions and sense of right and wrong.

Sean Carvajal
Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre
Before the play started there was an announcement that Sean Carvajal stepped into the role of Angel Cruz earlier in the week and will carry a script in his hand for a few scenes.  Script or no script, he is truly remarkable.  He is fully present in every moment.  He emotionally engages the audience with the plight of his character, pulling them into the dramatic action of the play.  The most powerful scene is between him and Stephanie DiMaggio during Act I.  They go head to head, both passionately seeking truth to believe in. Ms. DiMaggio is riveting.  She grabs your attention even before her scenes begin when she walks into place in the dark with a sever determination that skillfully drives the scene the minute the lights come up.  Edi Gathegi smoothly
Stephanie DiMaggio
Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre
charms his way into your heart, as every serial murderer should, blurring the line between good and evil, then clearly defining it as he entraps Angel Cruz in Act II.  

Each actor portrays the many layers of their characters with clarity and honestly.  They create moments that explode with urgency.  Mr. Guirgis’ dialogue is zealous and masterfully woven.  You MUST see this play.  Jesus Hopped the A Train is playing at The Pershing Square Signature Center through November 12.  Don’t miss it!

Domenick Danza

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