True West

True West

Roundabout Theatre Company

American Airlines Theatre

December 28, 2018

Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Co.

In True West Sam Shepard explores the jealousy and competition between brothers by heightening the clashes and destroying all acceptable facades.  The Roundabout Theatre Company production is well conceived and executed.  Director James Macdonald creates a rhythm between the two main characters that establishes their relationship.  As the action develops and the tables turn, the truth of the sibling rivalry reveals itself and explodes to an out of control level.

Lee (played by Ethan Hawke) drops in on his brother, Austin (played by Paul Dano), who is house sitting for their mother (played by Marylouise Burke) while she is on vacation in Alaska.  Austin is focused on writing a screenplay, while Lee is looking for his next grift.  During a meeting Austin has with Saul Kimmer, the producer of his project (played by Gary Wilmes), Lee interrupts and steals his thunder.  When Saul jumps at a story idea pitched by Lee, the months of time and effort Austin put on his project is brought to an abrupt and frustrating end.  The brothers are forced to work together and inadvertently face years of deep seeded rage.

Ethan Hawke & Paul Dano
Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Paul Dano and Ethan Hawke are perfectly matched in this production.  From the beginning of the play they are both driven by underlying emotion that clearly defines their early years of growing up together.  When the stakes are raised, they both reveal how far these suppressed emotions will take them.  In the final scene any remains of rational thinking is eviscerated and the sparks fly freely.  Mr. Dano’s and Mr. Hawke’s characters are impulsively driven.  Each scene contains unexpected turns that reveal their true selves.  Both men challenge themselves and deliver genuine performances.

True West is playing at the American Airlines Theatre through March 17.  Don’t miss this Sam Shepard scrutiny of family dynamics and brotherly rivalry.

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