Cyrano de Bergerac

Cyrano de Bergerac
Written by Edmond Rostand
in a new version by Martin Crimp
Directed by Jamie Lloyd
Jamie Lloyd Company at
Brooklyn Academy of Music
April 5, 2022
Production website
πŸ’‰πŸ’‰ out of 5.

This was a rough night in the theatre.  I knew coming from London and play at BAM meant it was going to be experimental and an unorthodox treatment of Cyrano, but I had no idea how bad it would go.  The set was a simple beige box – top, bottom and sides – nothing else.  There were five orange classroom chairs and a few corded mics.  That was it.  The costumes were coveralls, jeans and other clothing you might see on the street.  Minimalist – I get it – No problem.  The beauty was going to be in the language – nice choice . . .I thought.

American Buffalo

American Buffalo
Written by Eugene O’Neill
Directed by CiarΓ‘n O’Reilly
Irish Repertory Theatre
April 1, 2022
Production website
πŸ’‰πŸ’‰πŸ’‰πŸ’‰ out of 5.

It is always magical to see a David Mamet play done well.  It is great to see the very specific, graphic and course language of David Mamet be delivered as street poetry and not just a string of expletives.  The ugliness of the language takes on a certain beauty in gifted hands – and these hands were gifted!  Laurence Fishburne as Donny and Sam Rockwell as Teach were perfect in their roles.  They played a mad, intense game of tennis batting their lines and intent back and forth in perfect form.  I had a little trouble with Darren Criss as Bobby – perhaps because he is so indelibly connected to this role in Glee – or perhaps it was just the character of Bobby.  He just looked like he was in another play.