Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

Booth Theatre

April 13, 2019

Photo courtesy of
Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

Taylor Mac weaves together layers of laughter and grief mixed with hope and despair in Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus.  His writing is boldly satirical.  He moves in and out of metaphoric verse, giving the audience opportunities to ponder what lies beyond their own understanding in order to see the larger possibilities for transformation and healing.

It is the fall of the Holy Roman Empire and a street clown, Gary (played by Nathan Lane), has been promoted to maid.  His job is to clean up the dead bodies fallen from the carnage, and prepare the palace for the inauguration of the new Emperor.  The job, though overwhelming, seems simple enough, until he meets his supervisor, Janice (played by Kristine Nielsen).  She is determined to get the job done right and refuses to fall behind schedule due to Gary's trifling.  In his efforts to transform the tragedy that is all around him into comedy, Gary envisions a new genre, a “foolery,” which is comedy with a deep and serious theme.  Just as Janice is beginning to buy into Gary’s “foolery,” Carol (played by Julie White) emerges from beneath the pile of carcasses.  She was midwife to Tamora, and is obsessed with the fact that she failed to save Tamora’s baby before her throat was cut by Aaron.  Gary begins to think his idea of a “foolery” to change the future is not going to work.  When Carol locates and rescues the baby, Gary regains his confidence and begins to rethink his plan.   

Nathan Lane as Gary
Photo courtesy of Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

The true brilliance of the production is that immediately following bombastic humor, Nathan Lane and Kristine Nielsen shift the tone to sincere introspection.  Director George C. Wolfe shows a strong grasp of Mr. Mac’s writing in these transitions.  These moments are where absurdity meets truth, and we realize that our laughter is a defense against the extreme, not in acceptance of it.  

Mr. Mac brings hope for the future in the form of the baby thought to be lost.  His most prolific moments are when he pulls in the events from Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus.  I strongly recommend googling the synopsis before attending the play.  The themes will reverberate more soundly if you know these details.

Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus is playing at the Booth Theatre.  Go see it!

Domenick Danza