Comeuppance Written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Directed by Eric Ting Signature Theatre July 8, 2023 Production website 💉💉💉💉 out of 5.
Comeuppance really had me worried in the first few moments. Any play that begins with a character speaking directly to the audience and pretending to be “death” seems to be going down the wrong tedious path. I had very low expectations. Once the play moved through this monologue, however, I was very surprised as to how wonderful it was. A group of 30-somethings were gathered on the porch of the central characters house, all doing a bit of a pre-game libations before they go to the 20th high school reunion. The characters were so rich and interesting. They had the most complicated and interesting of relationships. I quickly forgot about the death character! The play then speaks of how they all survived the Columbine shootings, the war in Baghdad, 9/11 and even the January 6 march against the capital. But most importantly, how they all survived the Covid nightmare.
Grey House Written by Levi Holloway Directed by Joe Mantello Lyceum Theatre July 8, 2023 Production website 💉💉💉💉💉 out of 5.
Grey House is a terrific play. I had the most interesting first moment of a play ever. At what you presume is a realist world with a realistic set, and just as this crazy girl was crossing over to the kitchen, I saw a kitchen drawer open and close by itself. I thought was that an accident on stage because it was so small. Was I the only one who caught it? That made me curious. But the play only got more curiouser and curiouser as it went on. The premise of the play is straightforward. It involves a young couple out on the road, almost missing a deer, and needing to find shelter in a snowstorm. That part is clear. But from there, it’s anyone’s guess.
The Thanksgiving Play Written by Larissa Fasthorse Directed by Rachel Chavkin The Helen Hayes Theater May 26, 2023 Production website 💉💉 out of 5.
What this play sets out to do and what it accomplishes are two very different things. The play itself focuses on four very white individuals who work to create a politically correct “First Thanksgiving” play for Native American Heritage Month to be performed in various elementary schools. They hire a Native American actor, but later find out she is white and only plays ethnic on demand. The play then goes on to explore themes of historical accuracy and privilege. The playwright, a native American herself, sheds some light on the misrepresentation of Native Americans and the lack of indigenous casting.
Once Upon a One More Time Based on the music performed and recorded by Britney Spears Book by Jon Hartmere Directed and Choreographed by Keone & Mari Madrid Marquis Theatre May 25, 2023 Production website 💉💉💉 out of 5.
Act 1 is a marvelous thrill ride for any fan of Britney Spears! The premise of story-time female characters getting a bit fed up with their role and treatment in their story – and starting a revolution is set up – and then the fun begins. We get to essentially match the best of Britney Spears to the stories we have known since childhood. Cinderella provides the best connections between pop music and story possible. Cinderella working away on the hearth to please her wicked mother becomes, “You Better Work Bitch.” Prince Charming becomes a “Womanizer” and certainly “Toxic”. THE moment that the Britney Springs song begins the audience is blown away by the connection. It is electric! AND the dancing is easily some of the best on the street!
The Collaboration Written by Anthony McCarten Directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah Manhattan Theatre Club/Samuel J. Friedman Theatre January 6, 2023 Production website 💉💉 out of 5.
This play is a somewhat fictionalized meeting between two famous painters, Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat. BUT before the play begins we are treated to a post show, live DJ mixing hits from the 70’s and it is loud. So loud that the young set of the audience was dancing in the aisles and the older set were cringed in their seats covering their ears – a risky move given the age of the audience; Now to the play
