The Seven Year Disappear

 The Seven Year Disappear
The New Group
Pershing Square Signature Center
The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre
February 24, 2024 

Photo courtesy of The New Group

Jordan Seavey’s The Seven Year Disappear is mind blowing.  The New Group production is masterfully conceived.  Director Scott Elliott found a style and pace for the play that viscerally conveys the nature of the relationship of the two main characters.  The ending delivers an unexpected satisfaction that leaves the audience in a state of amazement.

Miriam (played by Cynthia Nixon) is a performance artist.  She is managed by her son, Naphtali (played by Taylor Trensch).  He just got her a commission from MoMA.  She is thrilled, and gets to work right away.  Miriam disappears the day of the MoMA announcement.  Naphtali is in a state of panic.  He starts drinking again.  He hires an investigator.  He turns to his mother’s previous manager, Wolfgang, who has not heard from her.  Naphtali realizes the disappearance is all part of Miriam’s new piece.  He turns his back on the art world, and starts working on Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.  Seven years later, as he is getting his life together, Miriam returns, expecting Naphtali to be part of the final phase of her seven year project. 

Photo courtesy of The New Group

Cynthia Nixon and Taylor Trensch deliver fascinating performances.  In addition to Miriam, Ms. Nixon plays numerous roles (Wolfgang and other friends and connections of Naphtali).  Her transitions are seamless.  The style in which it is written demands you listen carefully in order to find out who these characters are and how they relate to Naphtali and the disappearance of his mother.  Ms. Nixon is bold, daring, and commanding in each of these roles.  She grabs your attention, spikes your curiosity, and lures you into the journey.  

Taylor Trensch & Cynthia Nixon
Photo courtesy of The New Group

The character of Naphtali is complicated.  He is lost and searching, more for himself than for his mother.  Mr. Trensch peels back layers one by one to reveal a vulnerable core.  You are as uncertain as he is as to the reality of his situation, upbringing, and future.  At the end, it all lands in a place of knowing and a sense of calm.

Playwright Jordan Seavey has crafted a unique piece of theatre.  The scenes are out of order, causing the audience to piece the events together.  The play is carefully structured to provide details that answer the questions as they flood your mind.  This continuous reveal creates a forward moving action that keeps you fully engaged in the characters and their story. 

The Seven Year Disappear is playing at Pershing Square Signature Center’s Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre through March 31.  It is mesmerizing and powerful.  Don’t miss it! 

Domenick Danza

Back to the Future

 Back to the Future
The Musical
Winter Garden Theatre
February 20, 2024 

Photo courtesy of Back to the Future

The Broadway production of Back to the Future is absolutely amazing!  It is high tech, fast paced, and non-stop fun.  Chris Bailey’s choreography authentically connects the time period with energy and enthusiasm.  Director John Rando brings this phenomenal cast together to tell a story that is full of heart.

The year is 1985.  Marty McFly (played by Casey Likes) receives a message from his friend, Doc Brown (played by Roger Bart) to meet him at the mall parking lot at 1:20 AM.  Marty has a steady girlfriend, Jennifer (played by Mikaela Secada), but his family life is bleak.  His father, George (played by Hugh Coles) is bullied by his boss, Biff (played by Nathaniel Hackman).  His mother, Lorraine (played by Liana Hunt) is overweight and drinks too much.  When Marty arrives at the mall parking lot, Doc suddenly appears in a DeLorean, which he transformed into a time machine.  When Doc demonstrates how to program the DeLorean, he realizes he has been poisoned by the plutonium used to propel the machine for time travel.  Marty jumps into the car to get help.  As the car hits 88 mph, Marty is transported back to 1955.  As he searches for Doc to help him get back to the future, Marty runs into his teen age parents, and disrupts the events that lead to their first kiss and eventual marriage.  Marty has to reconcile these events before returning to 1985.       

Casey Likes as Marty McFly
Photo courtesy of Back to the Future

The show hits 88 mph from the top, and does not slow down for two and a half hours.  There are a few plot points missing from the original movie, but that is what keeps this musical version tight and effective.  Roger Bart and Casey Likes have an amazing bond as Doc Brown and Marty McFly.  Their comic timing is perfect.  They share a few touching and genuine moments on their wild adventure.  Hugh Coles is hysterical as George McFly.  His physicality is flawless.  Liana Hunt nails the role of Lorraine.  Her energy is high and her youthful zest is spot on.

Roger Bart & Dancers
Photo courtesy of Back to the Future

The creative team were all involved with the original film franchise.  The book is by Bob Gale.  The music and lyrics are by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard.  The production is co-created and produced by Robert Zemeckis.  The respect and creative ownership of the material is evident in the attention to detail and high quality of the production.  It is an amazing experience.  You must see it for yourself.

Back to the Future is playing at the Winter Garden Theatre.  It is high energy and a lot of fun.  You must see it!   

Domenick Danza

Brooklyn Laundry

Brooklyn Laundry
Manhattan Theatre Club
NY City Center Stage I
February 15, 2024 

Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

Manhattan Theatre Club is presenting John Patrick Shanley’s new play, Brooklyn Laundry.  The premise is intriguing, the characters are truthful, and the plot has a few surprise twists.  The play has many honest moments that will touch your heart and endear the characters to you.  The cast is wonderful.  Mr. Shanley has directed this play himself.  It is tender and straight forward. 

Fran (played by Cecily Strong) meets Owen (played by David Zayas) when she drops off her laundry.  The regular girl quit, so Owen, who own three laundromats, is working the front desk.  He sees something in Fran, beyond her “gloomy” disposition, and asks her out.  She accepts, but cannot go until she returns from an out of town commitment.  Fran keeps the details of this commitment from Owen when she goes on their date.  She wants him to see her in a positive light, and not as she is, weighed down by her family sorrow.  Fran’s sister is dying and leaving two small children behind.  Owen carries the weight of his past as well.  Fran supports him, and is hoping he will be able to do the same. 

David Zayas & Cecily Strong
Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

Cecily Strong delivers a solid performance as Fran.  This is a complex character, yearning for happiness while drowning in hopelessness.  Her rhythms and timing are impeccable.  She has a phenomenal chemistry with David Zayas.  Their connection is genuine and visceral.  Mr. Zayas’ character emotionally opens and reaches out to Fran (Cecily Strong), then plunges into fear and darkness.  It then becomes her turn to open up and reach out. 

Florencia Lozano and Andrea Syglowski play Fran’s sisters, Trish and Suzie.  These two characters are polar opposites, giving Ms. Strong much to play off.  It is in these scenes that she dives in and fully develops her character.  These relationships reveal the intertwining layers that develop over a lifetime of hardship and connection. 

Brooklyn Laundry is playing at NY City Center Stage I through March 31.  Check it out.  

Domenick Danza