Permission

Permission

MCC Theatre

Lucille Lortel Theatre

June 6, 2015

Photo courtesy of MCC Theatre

Permission, MCC Theatre’s production of Robert Askins new play, did not deliver the bang I had expected.  Perhaps it was that Mr. Askins’ Hand to God was so ingenious that my hopes were too high.  Perhaps the performances lacked the timing and chemistry to deliver the laughs and punch the script deserved.  Perhaps the director did not have the insight to the deeper levels or rhythms of the script. Yes, to all of the above.

When Eric (Justin Bartha) and his wife Cynthia (Elizabeth Reaser) accidentally walk in on their friend Zach (Lucas Near-Verbrugghe) spanking his wife Michelle (Nicole Lowrence), they don’t know what to think.  They quickly exit the dinner party and plan not to speak of the incident.  Zach meets up with Eric the next day and explains that he spanks his wife for Jesus.  It is part of CDD (Christian Domestic Discipline) which, through the power of God, allows couples to become the best they can be.  Eric and Cynthia try it and, thanks to the grace of God, their lives become empowered and productive… until it all comes back to bite them in the ass (pun intended).

Photo courtesy of MCC Theatre

The first act is relatively short as the premise of the play is established.  Mr. Askins delivers an Act II with a few twists and reveals that make the play worthwhile.  Director Alex Timbers finds the timing in the final scene that builds the action to the point where the main couple, Eric and Cynthia, is able to take a realistic look at their relationship.  Unfortunately, that sharp timing was missing from the earlier parts of the show.

The set, designed by David Korins, transformed the small space at the Lucille Lortel Theatre into six different realistic locations.  Each set was quickly changed, revealed, and smoothly rolled downstage as David Weiner’s lighting and M. L. Dogg’s sound design kept the transitions delightful.  Well done gentlemen!

Photo courtesy of MCC Theatre

Robert Askins is a playwright who pushes the envelope.  It is possible that this is too strong a conclusion to draw since I have only seen two of his plays, but they both did that so well.  The dramatic question in Permission is about discipline, how far is too far, and who really holds the power.  Even though the driving forces behind the behavior in this play were not as deep and dark as in Hand to God, he is still the playwright to watch. 

Domenick Danza

Hand to God

Hand to God

The Booth Theatre

March 20, 2015

Photo courtesy of Hand to God

Hand to God is aptly subtitled “a new American play.”  It questions the definitions of good and evil by separating them from the various grey areas in between.  A concept every American would benefit to examine and reflect upon.  Playwright Robert Askins writes with a unique, edgy wit.  The script is strikingly sobering.  The show is cunningly directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel.  Steven Boyer is stellar as Jason.  He and the entire cast (Geneva Carr, Marc Kudisch, Michael Oberholtzer, and Sarah Stiles) serve up authentic performances that are remarkable, raw, and funny.

The first act will make you laugh and agree that yes, when the world hands you more than you can manage, put on a sock puppet, let it curse like crazy, and say the devil made you do it.  This is what the main character, Jason, does when he is overwhelmed with feelings of abandonment by the death of his father and the emotional detachment of his mother.  The second act gets real and violent and psychological as we see the depth of Jason’s despair.  The mood shifts from hysterical to disturbing.  Everyone in the audience stopped laughing (at different times) as they began to realize the level of volatility and frustration the character was embodying. 

The play was so good that I bought the refrigerator magnet… at intermission.  I usually wait until the end of the show.  This is strong seal of approval in my book, and the best $10 ever spent.  

My refrigerator Broadway show magnet collection.

Hand to God is presently in previews and officially opens April 7.  Go see this play!  It is a skillfully crafted work that uses humor to unmask truth.  A truth we all need to face.

Steven Boyer in "Hand to God"
Photo courtesy of Hand to God

A personal take away:  As a NYC Public High School teacher, certain students tend to go off (on a rant) on a regular basis with various expletives for any number of reasons.  Perhaps the next time this happens (I am thinking of one student in particular), I will picture her devilish voice coming from a sock puppet attached to her left hand.  This will allow me to 1) laugh at the absurdity of the situation, and 2) be empathetic to the level of fear and hurt that her outburst is covering.  Profound or sarcastic?  We’ll see.  I am sure I will have a chance to put this experiment into action this week.

Domenick Danza