A Strange Loop

A Strange Loop
Playwrights Horizons

May 26, 2019

Photo courtesy of Playwrights Horizons

Michael R. Jackson’s A Strange Loop is having its world premiere at Playwrights Horizons.  It is a bold and unique work, exploring the way individuals looks at themselves through the reflection of other, continually repeating and “looping” for an infinite period of time.  It is a spiritual, psychological, and emotional journey that spirals deeply into the core of the main character’s understanding of himself.

The full cast of A Strange Loop
Photo courtesy of Playwrights Horizons

Usher (played by Larry Owens) is an NYU graduate struggling to write his musical, the one he is presently performing in.  The voices in his head (the six members of the ensemble) are continually keeping him from focusing on his main goal.  They are reverberating words of his low self-worth, his sexual identity, his gay-black self, his inner white girl… the list goes on.  These voices continually cycle him through repeated distraction until he realizes that in order to finish writing his musical, the one his is presently performing in, he must face himself head on.

Larry Ownes & Michael R. Jackson
Photo courtesy of Playwrights Horizons

Larry Owens does not leave the stage for one hour and forty-five minutes.  He is a powerhouse of vocal strength.  His character has an open heart that makes you feel for him, and a strong will that makes you believe in him.  The six voices in his head (Antwayne Hopper, James Jackson, Jr., L Morgan Lee, John-Michael Lyles, John-Andrew Morison, and Jason Veasey) play numerous roles.  They are a skillful and mighty ensemble, who create distinct, truthful, and over the top characters that keep you engaged and make you laugh out loud.

Director Stephen Brackett keeps the pace of the show moving.  The choreography by Raja Feather Kelly is sharp, boisterous, and spirited.  Michael R. Jackson has written the book, lyrics, and music.  He has a powerful voice and a straightforward style.  A Strange Loop is playing at Playwrights Horizons through July 7.

Domenick Danza

Long Lost

Long Lost

Manhattan Theatre Club

New York City Center Stage I

May 25, 2019

Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

Long Lost, Donald Margulies’ new play at Manhattan Theatre Club, tells a compelling story of the complex relationship between two brothers.  Director Daniel Sullivan finds the rhythm that connects the characters, allowing the deep-rooted conflicts and dark secrets that both unite and divide them to be revealed.  All the characters face their innermost fears, no matter how hard they work to side-step them.

Lee Tergesen & Kelly Aucoin
Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

David (played by Kelly Aucoin) is not at all happy when his brother, Billy (played by Lee Tergesen), drops in for a surprise holiday visit.  In an effort to keep him from staying with his family, David tells Billy his marriage is “going through a rough patch.”  To manipulate his brother, which is Billy’s greatest talent, he tells David he is dying of cancer.  David’s wife Molly (played by Annie Parisse) is uncomfortable with Billy staying with them, so places a limit on the length of his stay.  Their son Jeremy (played by Alex Wolff), who is home from school for Christmas break, does not know what to make of his “black sheep uncle.”  When Billy stirs up old, unresolved feelings and reveals a few skeletons hidden deep within the family closet, they are all forced to face truths they can no longer avoid.

Lee Tergesen & Alex Wolff
Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

Kelly Aucoin and Lee Tergesen have a great chemistry and create a truthful brother relationship.  Their family history is evident in the subtext that drives their interactions.  The tension created between Annie Parisse and Lee Tergesen is palpable.  They skillfully sustain it, control it, and build it until the point of no return.  Alex Wolff portrays Jeremy’s growth from secluded innocence to having to face harsh realities.  His transformation is realistic and gradual.

Playwright Donald Margulies does not hold back in showing the hard-edged realities of the effects of manipulation and lies in the family dynamic.  Long Lost is playing at the New York City Center Stage I through June 30.

Domenick Danza

To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird

Shubert Theatre

May 18, 2019

Photo courtesy of To Kill a Mockingbird

Experiencing the Broadway production of To Kill a Mockingbird far exceeds any of the expectations you might have from the praise it continually receives.  Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation preserves the heart of Harper Lee’s coming of age classic.  He gives voice to the racial injustice portrayed in the story in a more direct manner so it becomes relatable to a present-day audience.  He develops numerous minor characters, which magnifies Atticus Finch’s continually telling the children that you will never truly know a person until you “live in their skin.”  This is a slight glimpse into how Mr. Sorkin creates a visceral experience with his adaptation that deepens the connection to an already engaging, touching, and well-known story.  Combine that with phenomenal direction by Bartlett Sher and an amazing cast, lead by Jeff Daniels and Celia Keenan-Bolger, and the theatre rings with an energy that heals and uplifts your soul.

Celia Keenan-Bolger & Jeff Daniels
Photo courtesy of To Kill a Mockingbird

The story goes back and forth in time, starting with Scout Finch (played by Celia Keenan-Bolger), her brother Jem Finch (played by Will Pullen), and their friend Dill Harris (played by Gideon Glick) questioning how someone can die from falling on their knife.  This debate takes them back and forces a close review of the events that took place the summer of 1934 in Maycomb, Alabama, when their father, Atticus Finch (played by Jeff Daniels) was appointed by Judge Taylor (played by Dakin Matthews) to defend Tom Robbins (played by Gbenga Akinnagbe) for the rape and beating of Mayella Ewell (played by Erin Wilhelmi).  The trial is interspersed throughout the telling of the story while the close relationships of the Finch family are revealed.  The outraged community response to Atticus’ defense strategies are threatening to the family’s safety.

Jeff Daniels & Gbenga Akkinnagbe
Photo courtesy of To Kill a Mockingbird

Celia Keenan-Bolger, Will Pullen, and Gideon Glick narrate the transitions of the story.  Their chemistry and timing are flawless.  They are genuine and truthful.  Their growth from innocence toward adulthood is clear and endearing.  Jeff Daniel’s makes the iconic role of Atticus Finch authentically his own.  He creates a multi-dimensional father whose primary focus is to instill a sense of decency and integrity in his children.  His character is real, human, flawed, and straightforward.

There are numerous reasons why Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird won a Pulitzer Prize in 1960 and has become one of the most well-known and well-loved American classics.  This production not only captures all of those reasons, but deepens the level of understanding in Ms. Lee’s themes and compassionate point of view.

Domenick Danza

Octet

Octet

Signature Theatre

The Pershing Square Signature Center

May 4, 2019

Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre

Eight people come together every week to share their stories of internet addiction.  This is the premise for playwright, compose, lyricist Dave Malloy’s Octet.  The Signature Theatre production leads you on an extremely personal journey into your own mind and obsessions, and makes you question the purpose of your repetitive behaviors.  At the end of the show one character asks, “Why always eight people?”  It must be for the acapella singing, which they do to perfection. 

Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre

Dave Malloy has written eight characters that on the surface seem ordinary, until they dive deep into how the internet has taken control of them.  Whether it is games, dating apps, chat rooms, porn, or tarot, each character reveals their inner yearning and how it is satisfied when they are on the internet.  What is most remarkable is how their vocalization unites them on their journey of self-discovery and assessment.  Music Direction by Or Matias is detailed and flawless.  The phenomenal ensemble cast blends to make one sound, then above it all is heard the lead singer telling their story.  Director Annie Trippe’s staging builds the action and intensity of the one hour and forty-five minute experience to profound levels of revelation and unification. 

The full cast of Octet
Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre

Dave Malloy is Signature Theatre’s first musical theatre writer in their Residency 5 program.  He is a truly gifted story teller with a unique voice and a style all his own.  It is going to be a joy to follow his work at Signature.  Octet is playing at The Pershing Square Signature Center through June 16.

Domenick Danza