On Sugarland NYTW
On Sugarland NYTW
On Sugarland NYTW#1
Posted: 2/4/22 at 3:44pm
Sugarland is on precarious soil—three mobile homes line a southern cul-de-sac replete with years and years of decorative folk-art treasures and keepsakes. Young Sadie calls on generations of matriarchal ancestors to find the truth about her mother while the denizens of Sugarland rise each day to holler for the dead—conscripted soldiers lost to a greedy war—in a ritual reclamation of timeless grief.
This sweeping new work from Obie Award-winning playwright Aleshea Harris (Is God Is, What to Send Up When It Goes Down) is at once a spectacular pageant and spirited meditation on remarkable people transcending difficult circumstances. On Sugarland brings joyous life to communal healing with a glorious ensemble of 14 performers in a production directed by Obie Award winner, NYTW Usual Suspect & former 2050 Fellow Whitney White (What to Send Up When It Goes Down) and choreographed by Raja Feather Kelly (Hurricane Diane, The House That Will Not Stand)
*as a side note, early reports will be appreciated because I am trying to decide between this, Confederates, or SUFFS for my March trip
On Sugarland NYTW#2
Posted: 2/4/22 at 8:35pm
Very excited for this. IS GOD IS was one of the best plays in recent memory — I'm really looking forward to seeing what Aleshea Harris has been cooking up since.
On Sugarland NYTW#3
Posted: 2/5/22 at 1:55am
Seeing this tomorrow!
When Whitney White and Aleshea Harris team up, expect magic. Those ladies are the baddest doing it right now. They don’t f**k around!
To me, they are the new Sondheim and Hal tbh, but with plays. When they finally hit Broadway…boy oh boy!
Will report back.
On Sugarland NYTW#4
Posted: 2/6/22 at 3:07am
So, the show is an interesting idea, but it’s such an epic idea that it needs a LOT of work, if I’m being honest. I saw the first preview though. I believe it has the potential to be something substantial. I strongly recommend holding off seeing this until maybe a week from now or close to opening. I’m even considering going back after opening. It’s super raw right now.
With that said, here are my initial thoughts:
- Aleshea’s work that I’m familiar with always consists of intentional rituals and spells. This is no different and the magic is strong. It comes from a Black perspective though and I think they need to figure out how to help the audience (mostly white) understand what it is. I think people familiar with the Black baptist church instinctively understand. It was weird to hear the giggles during these moments.
- The show is LOOOOONG for a play. It turned into a test of endurance. lol A handful of people left. With intermission, it’s hitting 3 hours. I understand it’s literally an epic, but the runtime shouldn’t weigh on the audience. That’s never a good sign. I’m sure they’ll makes cuts.
- Stephanie Berry steals the show every time she touches the stage. She’s worth the price of admission alone.
- This is probably the most quiet work of Aleshea’s that I’ve been exposed to. It’s not as in your face (literally) as ‘What To Send Up,’ and not as fun as ‘Is God Is.’ It’s very grounded; it’s literally about the land these people live on. This is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but I hope it tightens up to a place where people can appreciate it.
That’s all I got for now. Excited to read others’ thoughts as the preview period progresses.
On Sugarland NYTW#5
Posted: 2/6/22 at 1:12pm
I have a ticket for the final weekend. Excited to see it!
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/2/13
On Sugarland NYTW#6
Posted: 2/6/22 at 8:02pm
Caught this, and ultimately thought that when it’s good, it’s sensational, but the vast majority of its 3 hour running time is set up for those rare moments of transcendence. It is a true meditation on its themes, and doesn’t have a super active plot. In a way that’s refreshing, but as usual, I would’ve loved the 100 minute no intermission version.
The first act is about 95 minutes and could easily be cut in half, so I wonder how much they are willing to consider editing. Performances are all first-rate, and the scenic, lighting, and sound design were some of NYTW’s best.
OffOnBwayHi put it great as a current “test of endurance” - a noticeable amount of people did not return for act 2, but it is definitely worth it. I would highly recommend the show once they’ve had more time to settle in.
On Sugarland NYTW#7
Posted: 2/8/22 at 11:38pm
I can't say this is going to be broadly liked, but on first watch I thought it was basically a masterpiece — and I very rarely like to use that word. As a massive 3-hour epic, the production is still finding footing, but the underlying text is powerful and poetic. Aleshea Harris is one to watch, for sure.
Updated On: 2/9/22 at 11:38 PMOn Sugarland NYTW#8
Posted: 3/5/22 at 11:14pm
Completely agree with those saying it's wonderful and magical but needs a little tightening. Goddamn though some of these performances are completely transcendent. In fact, I'd say every performer on that stage is doing incredible work. Particular in the last 3rd of the play, I was riveted with every monologs (and there are many...). The depth of emotion and raw truth from so many different angles was astonishing. Very moving, and the touch of theatrical magic for the final sequence worked beautifully for me. I moved to New York 6 months ago and am quickly running out money (Jesus christ, how do you keep up with the theatre here!?) but would definitely consider returning to this one.
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