Wounded by Jiggs Burgess Directed by Del Shores P3 Theatre Company February 4, 2024 Production website 💉💉 out of 5.
Wounded is one of the rare productions at a Fringe Festival that is a traditional play with a protagonist and a forward moving plot. The story revolves around a “wounded” man, Carrol, who over-compensates with everything (food, affectation, gossip, babble, etc.) to make up for feeling like a nobody. Soon to enter is his high school classmate, Robert, equally “wounded” now an addict, living with the parents – – in his fifties unable to get started in life. The play focuses on how an unhealed past simply feasters and feasters until it damages everything its path.
Jonah written by Rachel Bonds Directed by Danya Taymor Roundabout Theatre Company/Laura Pels Theatre February 2, 2024 Production website 💉💉💉 out of 5.
Jonah is a quiet, frightening play that covers familiar territory for contemporary theatre with a new and rather fresh approach. Jonah tells the story of Ana who is leading multiple story lines on stage. In one story line, she is a college student that is striking up a beautifully innocent and simple relationship with Jonah – a relationship almost too simple and beautiful to believe that it is actually true. Then 30 minutes into the play we are introduced into another world for Ana in which she is the stepchild of a highly abusive stepdad that regularly and increasingly terrorizes her step- brother. These scenes get more and more brutal until incest and suicide raise their ugly heads.
Russian Troll Farm by Sarah Gancher Directed by Darko Tresnjak Vineyard Theatre February 1, 2024 Production website 💉💉💉💉 out of 5.
Russian Troll Farm was an amazing night in the theatre. It far exceeded any expectations I had as I took my seat. Based on an actual Internet Research Agency in Russia – – we follow professional internet trolls working for days at a time to influence American popular opinion, creating the illusion of consensus—or conflict. There are floors for Twitter, for Facebook, memes, fake news, and comments sections. Mis-information is big business indeed! The play focuses specifically on months leading up to the election of Donald Trump and the defeat of Hilary Clinton. Russian Troll Farm imagines the daily lives of these trolls/workers as they invent characters, stage conflicts, and create conspiracies. What happens to your grasp on the truth when your whole job is lying? How does your identity shift when you impersonate Americans for a living?
I would like to offer my list of the TOP TEN BEST PLAYS and the TOP THREE WORST PLAYS that I saw in 2023. This year I was able to take in 27 plays – and I assure you that my list is totally unlike ANY of the various people that review NYC theatre. Please click on the title of the following plays to read the full review:
Sabbath’s Theater adapted from the novel by Philip Roth by Ariel Levy and John Turturro Directed by Jo Bonney The New Group December 9, 2023 Production website 💉💉 out of 5.
I was told that I was going to be offended by the content of Sabbath’s Theatre. The press said this – even signs outside the theatre said this – so I was ready- – and I have been offended many a time in the theatre. And most of the time, I was perfectly fine with it. But this was just too much even for me! It was a super uncomfortable afternoon in the theatre.
