Appropriate

 Appropriate
Belasco Theatre
March 28, 2024 

Photo courtesy of Appropriate

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Appropriate is a phenomenal piece of theatre.  The focus of the story is a highly dysfunctional family facing their truths.  The deeper theme of inescapable heritage that underlines the action is highly impactful.  Director Lila Neugebauer boldly guides this cast through a roller coaster of emotion with truthful high points that trigger a downfall into fear and denial.  These characters are real and identifiable.  Their needs are viscerally understood.  Their desperation is palpable. 

The year is 2011.  Franz (played by Michael Esper) climbs through the window of his recently deceased father’s plantation home in Arkansas with his girlfriend, River (played by Ella Beatty).  They don’t think anyone is there, however, Franz’s sister, Toni (played by Sarah Paulson), and her son, Rhys (played by Graham Campbell), arrived a few days earlier to get ready for the estate sale.  Toni is not happy to see Franz, who has changed his name from Frank.  They have not seen one another in ten years.  No one was able to contact Franz/Frank to inform him of his father’s death, so Toni is very suspicious of his presence.  When their brother, Bo (played by Corey Stoll), arrives the next morning with his family, River pushes Franz to do what he came to do.  As part of his recovery, he needs to make amends to Bo and Toni.  Toni will have no part of it, yet Bo is open to forgiving and moving on.  Bo’s young son, Aisley (played by Lincoln Cohen), finds a photo album while helping to clean out his grandfather’s study.  When Bo’s wife, Rachel (played by Natalie Gold), looks closely at the photos, she is shocked.  A box of souvenirs is discovered in the study that provides serious evidence to a deep family secret. 

Michael Esper, Corey Stoll, & Sarah Paulson
Photo courtesy od Appropriate

Sarah Paulson is a firestorm as Toni.  Her resentment and pain fuel the action for the duration of the story.  She is equally matched by Corey Stoll, Natalie Gold, and Michael Esper.  They brilliantly portray a genuine, deep seeded family dynamic.       

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins has crafted a play with numerous, rich layers.  While the characters are in the middle of heightened sibling conflict brought on by the grief of their father’s recent passing and the stress of settling a large estate in high debt, they discover a horrifying truth in their heritage.  They don’t know how to handle it, so they continue to blame and fight.  It is their only outlet.  This action accelerates to the point of no return, and they wonder where all the hate and aggression comes from.  No matter how much they try to deny it or cut themselves off, they cannot escape their inheritance.  It is fully evident in their dialogue and behavior.  When they leave, it is clear they will most likely never see one another again, yet the plantation house is another story.  Time quickly moves forward to 2024, and the abandoned house still stands, festering in that energy that will survive them all. 

Photo courtesy of Appropriate

Appropriate was originally produced by Second Stage Theater, and had a successful run at the Hayes Theatre.  It is now playing at the Belasco Theatre through June 23.  It is a MUST SEE!

 

Domenick Danza