thespisbustard: One Post: Five Shows

Early Spring in N.Y. Theaters

"Defiance" at the Manhattan Theatre Club.
"Avenue Q" at the Gold Theater
"All's Well that Ends Well" by The Theatre for a New Audience
"Abigail's Party" by The New Group
"Red Light Winter" by Steppenwolf

Early Spring in N.Y. Theaters

When the weather gets into that March cycle of rain, fog, snow and mud, some people fly off to an endless beach, but this bird prefers a long weekend in the heated theatres of Manhattan. This year was like most - last year’s Tony award winner going great guns, the star vehicles losing both their stars and their oomph, and some incredibly exciting theatre being created in the tiny spaces in the cracks of the city. Productions I saw include:

A) Defiance - - By John Patrick Shanley, Produced By the Manhattan Theatre Club (www.manhattantheatreclub.com.), Directed by Doug Hughes, at New York City Center Stage I, Extended until May 7th, For tickets, CityTix at (212) 581-1212.

John Patrick Shanley has crafted a tautly written, 90-minute one-act where the abuse of power “because one can” raises issues that were first explored by Sophocles. Hearkening back to the Oedipus Rex, we encounter a Marine Lt. Colonel who has handled power and decision-making effectively for a long time and then crosses a line of public and private morality for no other reason than he can. Watching him (Creon–like) is his executive officer, an African-American who avoids the racial issue by just following military rules and his wife (Jocasta, if you will) warns him of his arrogance. All three characters face the dilemma of how to respond to the ethical and legal transgression and their choices lead to a contemporary tragedy. Stephen Lang and Chris Bauer as the Lt. Col. and his Exec. are excellent. Margaret Colin as the military wife gives an understated, but brilliantly nuanced and powerful portrayal of Jocasta who, knowing her Oedipus is riding for a fall, can only stand and watch in horror. Defiance demonstrates a new maturity for one of America’s leading playwrights.

B) Avenue Q, The Musical - By Whitty, Lopes and Marx, Directed by Jason Moore, at the Golden Theatre, Box Office: Telecharge (212) 239-6200/(800) 432-7250

Yes, it won the Tony several years ago! But Jason Moore’s direction of the cast and Rick Lyons’ puppets will brighten anyone’s mid-winter blues. It took me so long to see it because I thought that it was a return to Sesame Street. And while the puppets are derivative, this slick show, full of the angst of growing up, transitions, and interpersonal relationships, deals with some of the lessons that Henson tried to teach us. The youthful cast played like it was opening night. This is not puppet show for the whole family, but for boomers who need a lift, Avenue Q is a fantastic escape into relationship fantasy. It was a full house the night I went, so “Q” will be around for a while and it’s definitely worth a visit.

C) All’s Well That End’s Well - By William Shakespeare, Produced by the Theatre for a New Audience at the Duke On 42^nd Street, Directed by Dark Tresnjak. To visit Theatre for a New Audience and buy tickets for their next production at a discount, www.tfana.org/

Okay, It closed on the March 15^th, but Theatre for a New Audience and director Dark Tresnjak who are noted for their ability to handle period language beautifully, mounted a “difficult“ Shakespearean piece that really works for 2006. This is the group that brought Mark Ryiance’s Measure For Measure from The Globe Theatre to the States for a tour and is the only U.S. Theater ever to have been invited to perform at the Globe. Their All’s Well was the first that ever made sense to me. I understood the language from the first line, and applauded, giggled and cheered as Helena (Kate Forbes) outwitted her handsome, but immature Bertram (Lucas Hall), and carried him off to the despair of a hilarious Parolles (Adam Stein) and delight of a lovely and loving Countess (Laurie Kennedy) and Lafew (Tom Bloom). Next up Sore Throats by Howard Brenton, directed Evan Yionoulis, from April 22- May 21^st.

D) Abigail’s Party – By Mike Leigh, Produced by The New Group, Directed by Scott Elliott, Starring Jennifer Jason Leigh (who has left the show to do a film), at The Acorn Theater, Tickets to Abigail's Party at The New Group @ Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street (between 9th and 10th Ave.) are available by calling (212) 279-4200. For more information on The New Group, visit the website at http://www.thenewgroup.org.

Have you ever been trapped at a party too long, with a headache, surrounded by people you neither know nor care about? Abigail’s Party depicts just such a party given by the extremely effected Beverly (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and her overworked and henpecked husband Laurence (Max Baker). We meet their boring, dreary friends as the evening slides into disaster. I wouldn’t spend another moment with those affected social climbing drips if you paid me. Leigh has left the show (wise move!) so it may be closing soon. If you’re looking for a miserable theatre, Abigail’s Party should head your list.

E) Red Light Winter – A Steppenwolf Theatre Production, Written and Directed by Adam Rapp, Starring Christopher Denham, Lisa Joyce, Gary Wilmes, at the Barrow Street Theatre, www.redlightwinter.com For tickets, call 212-239-6200.

The antithesis of Abigail’s Party, Red Light Winter explodes across a tiny stage with an honesty, intensity and fury that quite simply astounds. A simple story about two young friends, a newly successful book publisher and a semi- blocked, but brilliantly shy young playwright, and their interaction with an Amsterdam red light district hooker/American émigré/would–be actress over two nights. The shifting loyalties, jealousies, kindnesses, and brutality fuel a dynamic power struggle that engulfs and snuffs out the lives of all three. Brilliantly acted and directed on a set that, while impossibly small and claustrophobic, manages to represents two complete apartments (plaudits to set designer Todd Rosenthal and lighting designer Keith Parham). This early spring present from Steppenwolf may be the best acted ensemble piece in
New York. It may not last long (good things seldom do) but Red Light Winter makes for a great evening of theater.