"MASTER HAROLD"...AND THE BOYS at Geffen Playhouse

[Dan6]

Posted: 4/26/26 at 12:12pm

If you're in LA before May 10, do yourself a favor and don't miss this outstanding production, which is one of the best things I've ever seen at the Geffen. Athol Fugard's play is, sadly, every bit as timely and powerful as when I saw the original Broadway production in 1982. 82-year-old Tony-winning South African actor/playwright/activist John Kani, who worked with Fugard and who played Willie in the 1985 TV adaptation with Matthew Broderick and Zakes Mokae, gives a quietly devastating performance as Sam that I will rank among the best I've been lucky enough to witness, and has strong support from Ben Beatty and Nyasha Hatendi. Everything about the production, including Emily Mann and Tarell Alvin McCraney's direction, Beowulf Boritt's set design, and Susan Hilferty's costumes, is first rate. I'm seeing 19 shows in NY on my upcoming May trip and doubt any of them will match this. 

[Owen22]

Posted: 4/27/26 at 4:55am

It is such a lovely play! I saw the London National Theatre's production a couple years ago and it was exquisite. Hammed Animashaun, of the new Saturday Night Live UK, played the more angrier of Harold's "boys" (after being such a delight as Bottom in the Bridge Theatre's Midsummer's).

Updated On: 4/27/26 at 04:55 AM