Donja R. Love’s “soft” at MCC

[Alexander Lamar]

Posted: 5/28/22 at 11:56am

I was posting to see if anyone has caught this yet but apparently they only had the chance to have their first preview at the top of the month before having the rest of their shows so far canceled due to COVID. Performances start up again today, and I’m seeing it tomorrow. I loved “Sugar In Our Wounds” so I’m excited to see this piece. 

[Alexander Lamar]

Posted: 6/14/22 at 3:47pm

Bump, saw that this just got extended by a few weeks. Anyone seen it yet?

[raddersons]

Posted: 6/14/22 at 4:17pm

Haven't seen it but Juan Ramirez gave it critics pick at NYT. The review piqued my interest.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/10/theater/soft-review-donja-love.html

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/18/22 at 10:55am

Any reports on this?

[kurtal]

Posted: 6/18/22 at 12:38pm

I saw this about two weeks ago during previews.  It features a very strong cast (standout performances from Essence Lotus and Dario Vazquez) working with some very uneven material.  The writing engages with some massively important issues facing Black men -- gender, masculinity, shame -- but many of the scenes felt rushed, and the transitions were abrupt.  When the characters were given time and space to be themselves and interact organically, the show really shone.  I as particularly frustrated by 

 

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the character of the principal. He's set up as an antagonist at the beginning but then is given the "voice of reason" soliloquy towards the end -- a choice that felt dishonest and unearned. 

The ending could have been a really beautiful moment that also felt abruptly handled -- and therefore somewhat unearned (and a bit derivative of other recent work).

But it's a tight 90 minutes that is flirting with being very good.  I hope Donja Love continues to develop the piece -- and that the cast continues to have success.

[kurtal]

Posted: 6/18/22 at 12:39pm

Happy to answer more specific questions if anyone has any.