(Wasn’t sure which thread to put this in, so I’m posting it in both)
I thought this was a really strong show overall.
The play is deceptively simple on the surface, and reveals more and more layers as it progresses. And even after seeing the show, I’m still really processing it. The show subverts the audience’s expectations at almost every turn, but not in an annoying Game of Thrones kind of way. The whole show is kind of ABOUT subverted expectations; the path that a narrative/life takes, and a writer/person’s relationship to that path. It sets up lots of parallels between the structure of the play we’re watching, and the conversations they have within the play about literature. But that’s just one interpretation; the plot is easy to follow, but I feel like if you ask 10 people what this show was really about at its core, to might get 10 different answers (and I think that’s a sign of a nuanced piece of writing).
David Cromer’s direction is fairly quiet and restrained, and like the play itself, the staging is deceptively simple - and very smart! I especially appreciated the tasteful and well-integrated use of projections.
Parker is giving a really beautiful, subtle performance. She really carries the show on her shoulders, and she does an excellent job. Will Hochman manages to hold his own reasonable well opposite her, but his performance didn’t wow me the way hers did.
I hope this show gets more buzz as the run goes on. I haven’t really heard people talking about it, but I think it’s a really solid, interesting addition to the season. For their own sake, I hope people don't skip this show just because MLP is returning to Broadway in a few months in a more famous play.
For the record: I THOUGHT I was going into this show knowing the big spoiler at the end, because someone let something slip to me before I saw it. But there were even more surprises after the thing I knew about.
Updated On: 9/19/19 at 08:58 AM
