Topdog/Underdog
Golden Theatre
November 10, 2022
Photo courtesy of Topdog/Underdog
The 20th anniversary Broadway revival of
Suzan-Lori Park’s Topdog/Underdog is magnificent. It is an engaging and powerful piece of
theatre. This 2002 Pulitzer Prize winning play still
packs a potent punch. Kenny Leon has
masterfully directed this piece with two strong, captivating actors. Corey Hawkins and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II are
brilliant together. The competition
between their two characters is constantly present. It continually builds with a visceral tension
until it explodes in an unexpected climax.
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| Corey Hawkins & Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Photo courtesy of Topdog/Underdog |
Lincoln (played by Corey Hawkins) is staying with his brother, Booth (played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II). Booth is practicing dealing Three Card Monte to hustle on the street. He wants to change his name to Three Card. Lincoln has given up the cards and has a “real job.” He is portraying Abraham Lincoln in an arcade, where people pay to assassinate him. The brothers were abandoned by their parents when they were teenagers. Each was given a five hundred dollar “inheritance” before their parents walked out on them. Lincoln spent his, while Booth saved it, untouched. When Lincoln loses his job, he reverts back to hustling cards. Booth forces him to share his secrets on dealing. While doing so, Lincoln wins his brother’s inheritance money. This pushes Booth farther over the edge than either of them anticipated.
Corey Hawkins & Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Photo courtesy of Topdog/Underdog
The play’s effectiveness relies on the relationship
of the two brothers. They count on each
other, yet are constantly trying to top one another. One of the brothers explains that their
father gave them their names (Lincoln and Booth) as a joke. Their rivalry and bond were engrained in them
from birth. Corey Hawkins and Yahya
Abdul-Mateen II find the rhythm to impressively create this dichotomy. They are competitive allies, supporting each
another one minutes, then seamlessly transitioning into high stakes opposition. Mr. Hawkins and Mr. Adbul-Mateen are
genuinely connected throughout the story.
Their moments of triumph and defeat are clear and critical to the
momentum of the action. Their physical portrayals
are distinctive, creating strong antagonism and making them equally enthralling.
Topdog/Underdog is Suzan-Loir Parks at her best. Director Kenny Leon connects every seed Ms. Parks plant throughout the action, delivering this piece to a stunning and shocking conclusion. Don’t miss this production. It is playing at the Golden Theatre.
Domenick Danza
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