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

The Skin of Our Teeth

 The Skin of Our Teeth
Lincoln Center Theater
at the Vivian Beaumont
May 12, 2022 

Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

The Lincoln Center Theater production of Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of Our Teeth is big, bold, and brilliant.  Director Lileana Blain-Cruz shrewdly juxtaposes the character interpretations, keeping the tension, conflict, and humor building throughout.  The third act rings with truth and relevance, as the actor are costumed in Civil War era attire.  Additional material by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins allows the direct address comments by the character of Sabina to be relatable to today’s audience.  The cast of twenty-eight works together as a tight ensemble, bringing this 1942 Pulitzer Prize winning three-act play to dazzling life on the Vivian Beaumont stage.  

Act I opens on Sabina (played by Gabby Beans), the housekeeper to the Antrobus family, preparing for Mr. Antrobus (played by James Vincent Meredith) to return from work.  We meet Mrs. Antrobus (played by Roslyn Ruff) and their two children, Gladys (played by Paige Gilbert) and Henry (played by Julian Robertson).  They are the perfect family, except for the alarming secrets they keep very well hidden.  Their existence is threatened by the ice coming from the north, moving everything in its path, and leaving people frozen in their homes.  They reluctantly open their home to a group of refugees in need of shelter and warmth, who help keep the fire burning as the ice approaches.  The world as they know it about to end.  

Roslyn Ruff, Julian Robertson, Paige Gilbert,
& James Vincent Meredith
Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

Act II finds the Antrobus family in Atlantic City among mayhem and merriment, during the convention of the order of mammals.  Mr. Antrobus declares “Enjoy yourself!” as the message of the day, while a Fortune Teller (played by Priscilla Lopez) predicts destruction by a great storm.  As Mr. Antrobus breaks the news to Mrs. Antrobus that he is leaving her for Sabina, the rain begins.  Mrs. Antrobus allows Sabina to escape with the family on a huge boat with two of each animal species.  They are prepared to start over. 

Act III is dark.  The war has ended.  The Antrobus family and Sabina have survived.  Gladys has a baby.  Mr. Antrobus and Henry return from war in serious dispute.  It is time to rebuild, yet Mr. Antrobus is tired and disheartened.  It will take community effort to restore the safety of their home if mankind is to endure. 

Gabby Beans as Sabina
Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

From the minute the curtain goes up, Gabby Beans grabs the audience’s attention, and keeps them fully engaged and gleefully entertained for the full three hours.  Her Sabina is high energy and animated.  The tone of her direct address is distinctly different, setting up not only the humor in Mr. Wilder’s writing, but clarifying the device he employs throughout the play to punctuate his important messages.

James Vincent Meredith and Roslyn Ruff are strong and fearless as Mr. and Mrs. Antrobus.  They are fully in sync, especially when their characters are in dispute.  Ms. Ruff skillfully plays Mrs. Antrobus’ staunch determination with charm and appeal.  Mr. Meredith portrays Mr. Antrobus as a blustery, self-assured intellectual.  

Priscilla Lopez as The Fortune Teller
Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

Paige Gilbert and Julian Robertson are wonderful as Gladys and Henry Antrobus.  Their characters have a strong arc during Act I and Act II, and show tremendous growth and maturity in Act III.  Mr. Robertson delivers a heartbreaking moment in Act III that is truthful and genuine.  

Priscilla Lopez is mysterious, charismatic, and daring as the Fortune Teller.  Her character leads the narration in Act II, and Ms. Lopez skillfully brings the action to its well needed climax.

The Lincoln Center Theater production of The Skin of Our Teeth is running at the Vivian Beaumont Theater through May 29.  Don’t miss this production! 

Domenick Danza

Everybody

Everybody

Signature Theatre

The Pershing Square Signature Center

February 18, 2017

Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ new Play, Everybody, is based on the 15th century morality play Everyman.  Lila Neugebauer’s direction has truly raised the bar.  Her broad strokes are only exceeded by her eye for effective detail.  The passionate and remarkable partnership between her and Mr. Jacob-Jenkins has created a brilliant and clear present day mortality experience.  The concept successfully breaks the fourth wall in surprising ways that absorb each audience member, creating a true journey for everybody. 

Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre

God (played by Jocelyn Bioh) calls on Death (Marylouise Burke) to request a presentation from Everybody, holding them accountable for their experiences during their time on Earth.  When Everybody asks Death if they can bring along a companion to assist in making a successful presentation, Death agrees.  Who will accompany Everybody on this journey of no return?  What evidence can Everybody collect for the presentation that has value, weight, and meaning?

The Playwright, Director, and Cast in Rehearsal
Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre

The ensemble cast (Brooke Bloom, Michael Braun, Louis Cancelmi, David Patrick Kelly, and Lakisha Michelle May) play numerous roles that vary each night of the performance.  Their roles are assigned by a lottery at the beginning of the show.  The playwright and director’s intention in this is to have “some element of chance to be essential to the fabric of how this event functions, how the evening makes meaning.”  By doing this the “Everyman” character is not assigned to “a single actor, who necessarily has an age, a gender, a race, a sexual orientation.  Also the notion that death could strike any one of us at any moment” rings clear and true.  This skillful ensemble exceeds any expectation of this wild concept.  They create a relatable environment with honest moments and true relationships.  The timing of their dialogue and the depth of their connections are masterful, especially given the fact that they have each memorized practically the entire script.

Playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre

Scenic design by Laura Jellinek, lighting design by Matt Frey, and sound and original music by Brandon Wolcott meld seamlessly to place the audience in the center of the action.  Signature Theatre’s production of Everybody runs at The Pershing Square Theatre Center through March 19.  It is unique and profound, and brilliantly achieves the purpose of the historic morality play for a modern day audience.

Domenick Danza