Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune
Written by Terrence McNally
Directed by Rain Arbus
Broadhurst Theatre
June 6, 2019
Production website
💉💉💉💉💉 out of 5.

It is an accomplishment to make a two-handed play like Frankie and Johnny work on the big stage on Broadway.  But of course, when you have the rough, masculine and unique Michael Shannon, who can do anything, and Audra McDonald, who can do anything while looking gorgeous – – anything is possible. 

It really is a bit tough to believe that either of these actors would have to work very hard to simply get laid even when they are revealed in their all-togethers during several parts of the show.  Especially, I was worried a bit after seen Edie Falco’s wining portrayal of Frankie – that Audra would just be too pretty – too classy and delicate.  But I was wrong!  Again and again, Audra demonstrates that she has fully earned each and every Tony in her illustrious career.  Her commanding singing gets translated into speech but the power and passion are there in every word – just as much as they were in Ragtime.  And Shannon moves beyond his rustic, caustic energy to really capture some hilarious comic moments.  This Johnny is actually funny without loosing one bit of masculinity.

The joy of this piece is also its consummate use of silence.  There are extended moments when they stare out at the moon or at each other from across the room and the story just keeps on being told.  This show has to have my very favorite final moments of any play this Broadway season.  After much ado about whether Frankie and Johnny have a fighting chance of being a couple or whether they are fated to leave it as just a one night stand, Johnny asks Frankie if he could brush his teeth – and surprise there is a toothbrush there in the bathroom waiting for him – – and most magical of all, the two sit snuggled against each other on bed – just silently brushing their teeth as the lights fade.  It was beautiful.