Claybourne Park, a play by Bruce Norris at Playwrights Horizons. Directed by Pam MacKinnon, starring Cyrstal A. Dickinson, Brendan Griffin, Damon Gupton, Christina Kirk, Annie Parisse, Jeremy Shamos, Frank Wood.
The best new American play since "August Osage County", and if this off-Broadway production were Tony eligible, it would likely sweep nearly every major category. It is that good.
Start with the masterful direction by Pam MacKinnon of a cast of seven playing multiple parts several of which morph in front of our eyes in a play spanning two separate periods in history in the same house. The play covers many subjects but first and foremost is that of race and tribe, of basic human relations. It's alternately funny, infuriating, sad. So many people trapped.
The performances are basically perfect. Standouts include Christina Kirk alternately hilarious and heartbreaking in her two roles and Frank Wood who creates devastatingly heartbreaking pathos as the despairing Russ. Annie Parisse, so memorable as Becky Shaw last season, gives a virtuoso turn as a deaf Betsy and the ultra liberal Lindsey. Crystal A. Dickinson and Damon Gupton provide pitch-perfect portrayals of two African-American couples, the "help" in 1959 and community activists fifty years later. Brendan Griffin essays three roles with distinction. In a schizophrenic theater season in which there have been so many duds and disappointments punctuated by a few superlative productions, "Claybourne Park" makes history with a truly great production of a brand new American masterpiece. Broadway Bridge and Tunnel Test Grade A+
The best new American play since "August Osage County", and if this off-Broadway production were Tony eligible, it would likely sweep nearly every major category. It is that good.
Start with the masterful direction by Pam MacKinnon of a cast of seven playing multiple parts several of which morph in front of our eyes in a play spanning two separate periods in history in the same house. The play covers many subjects but first and foremost is that of race and tribe, of basic human relations. It's alternately funny, infuriating, sad. So many people trapped.
The performances are basically perfect. Standouts include Christina Kirk alternately hilarious and heartbreaking in her two roles and Frank Wood who creates devastatingly heartbreaking pathos as the despairing Russ. Annie Parisse, so memorable as Becky Shaw last season, gives a virtuoso turn as a deaf Betsy and the ultra liberal Lindsey. Crystal A. Dickinson and Damon Gupton provide pitch-perfect portrayals of two African-American couples, the "help" in 1959 and community activists fifty years later. Brendan Griffin essays three roles with distinction. In a schizophrenic theater season in which there have been so many duds and disappointments punctuated by a few superlative productions, "Claybourne Park" makes history with a truly great production of a brand new American masterpiece. Broadway Bridge and Tunnel Test Grade A+
posted by James Camner | 9:04 PM
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