Slave Play

Slave Play

Golden Theatre

October 20, 2019

Photo courtesy of Slave Play

Jeremy O. Harris’ Slave Play makes clear and strong statements on race and identity.  It is a highly psychological look at the effect of trauma on inter-racial relationships, particularly from the point of view of the partner who identifies as black.  Director Robert O’Hara layers in humor to allow the audience to process the volume of information presented during the course of the action.  The cast of eight deliver high level performances, establishing genuine relationships as they reveal intimate inner-conflicts at an amazing pace.

Three couples are engaged in a week-long therapy retreat.  We enter the story on day three, as they are intensely invested in the fantasy portion of the process.  Kanesha (played by Joaquina Kalukango) portrays a house slave who is whipped and degraded by her overseer, Jim (played by Paul Alexander Nolan).  Alana (played by Annie McNamara) dominates her house servant, Philip (played by Sullivan Jones).  Gary (played by Ato Blankson-Wood) takes advantage of his indentured servant, Dustin (played by James Cusati-Moyer).  Their sexual fantasies take them all to the core issue they are struggling with in their relationships.  Some are able to come to acceptance of themselves and their partner.  Others need to dig deeper.

James Cusati-Moyer & Ato Blankson-Wood
Photo courtesy of Slave Play

Each actor develops their character with vigor and sensitivity that produces complex and truthful portrayals.  They lift Jeremy O. Harris’ writing off the page with raw honesty.  The play is packed with psychological theory and social data that is reflected in the relationships between the characters and the secrets they reveal. 

Slave Play is playing at the Golden Theatre.  It is multi-layered with profound insight that requires thoughtful discussion. 

Domenick Danza

Fire and Air

Fire and Air

Classic Stage Company

February 16, 2018

Photo courtesy of Classic Stage Company

In Fire and Air, playwright Terrance McNally tells the passionate story of the relationship between Sergei Pavlovich Diaghilev and Vaslav Nijinsky during the years of the Ballet Russes.  The Classic Stage Company production is designed and directed by John Doyle, who masterfully interprets Mr. McNally’s brilliantly crafted play about these complex and truthful characters.  The cast is strong and bold.  The story is accurately told.

Photo courtesy of Classic Stage Company

Sergei Diaghilev (played by Douglas Hodge) spots a young Vaslav Nijinsky (played by James Cusati-Moyer) during a performance.  Diaghilev nurtures and molds him into one of the greatest ballet dancers of the 20^th century.  Diaghilev’s passion and vision for creating a new form of Russian ballet with his company, Ballet Russes, is matched only by his obsession for his new protégé.  When the company has financial trouble, Diaghilev turns to his cousin Dmitry “Dima” Filosofov (played by John Glover) to help him with the finances.  He and Dunya, Diaghilev’s nurse since childhood (played by Marsha Mason), provide emotional support for Diaghilev when Nijinsky marries Romola de Pulszky, a dancer in the corps de ballet.  Diaghilev dismisses Nijinsky and turns his attention to Leonid Massine (played by Jay Armstrong Johnson), another young dancer in his company, yet he is never able to let go of his deep feelings of love and obsession for Nijinsky.

Douglas Hodge & James Cusati-Moyer
Photo courtesy of Classic Stage Company

Douglas Hodge creates a giant with his portrayal of Diaghilev.  He is exuberant, flamboyant, and larger than life.  His character’s passion for creating art thunders from deep within his soul and vibrates throughout the theater.  His deep need for love, attention, and admiration pervades his every action.  James Cusati-Moyer is mysterious and cunning as Nijinsky.  He has a commanding physicality and a fiery presence.  Together these two actors honestly portray a tumultuous relationship that is based on need and longing.  Their distance magnifies their attraction.  Their aspirations are magnetic.

Photo courtesy of Classic Stage Company

John Glover is glorious as Dima.  Marsha Mason is solid and grounded as Dunya.  Their portrayals of the lifelong relationships to Diaghiliev create a sense of family that frames his boldness with a sense of reality, candor, and care.  Jay Armstrong Johnson creates a naive youth in the character of Leonid Massine that is an excellent juxtaposition to Nijinsky’s understanding of the control, exploitation, and abuse that Diaghilev is capable of.

The story of Diaghiliev, Nijinsky, and the Ballet Russes has been written about and told numerous times and in various media.  Terrance McNally’s rendition of the story is clear, concise, and emotionally driven.  It gives us pause to reconsider the value of art in our society.  John Doyle’s vision for the play is beautifully executed.  The cast is truly amazing.  Fire and Air is running at Classic Stage Company through March 2.  Check it out! 

Domenick Danza