TOPDOG/UNDERDOG Reviews

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 10/20/22 at 9:09am

The 20th anniversary revival production of Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks opens on Broadway October 20, after beginning previews September 27. The limited engagement will run through January 15, 2023 at the Golden Theatre.

Helmed by Tony winner Kenny Leon, who will also direct this season's premiere of Ohio State Murders, Topdog/Underdog stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (in his Broadway debut) and Tony nominee Corey Hawkins (Six Degrees of Separation, Romeo & Juliet) in the story of sibling rivalry and brotherly love centering on two brothers named Lincoln and Booth by their father as a joke.

The work made its world premiere Off-Broadway at The Public Theater in 2001 in a production directed by George C. Wolfe and starring Don Cheadle and Jeffrey Wright. It transferred to Broadway the following year with Wright reprising his Off-Broadway performance opposite rap artist Mos Def. The production received two 2002 Tony nominations, including Best Play, and won the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, making Parks the first Black woman to win the honor.

The creative team includes scenic designer Arnulfo Maldonado, costume designer Dede Ayite, lighting designer Allen Lee Hughes, and sound designer Justin Ellington. Casting is by Calleri Jensen Davis, and Kamra Jacobs is the production stage manager. The production is being produced by David Stone, LaChanze, Rashad V. Chambers, Marc Platt, Debra Martin Chase, and the Shubert Organization.

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 10/20/22 at 4:25pm

Opening night tickets are being sold right now at TKTS for $49.00. 

[A Director]

Posted: 10/20/22 at 10:58pm

The production is getting rave reviews!

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/20/22 at 11:01pm

DTLI Consensus: You're only yourself when no one's watching, but Mateen and Hawkins shine bright for 800 strong daily.

14 positive (including the NYT), 1 mixed. 

https://didtheylikeit.com/shows/topdog-underdog-2/

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/20/22 at 11:08pm

Those are some extraordinary reviews. Was waiting but just picked up tix.

[MadsonMelo]

Posted: 10/21/22 at 12:27am

Funny the three revivals opened back to back, but those reviews were obviously better than ''Salesman'' and ''Piano Lesson''. Best Revival Frontrunner?

[willep]

Posted: 10/21/22 at 4:40am

Wow. The Wrap review has managed to confuse the two actors.

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 10/21/22 at 10:54am

MadsonMelo said: " Best Revival Frontrunner?"

If the reviews dictated Tony outcome, definitely, But fall shows always seem to be forgotten, and I really really hope Corey Hawkins isnt come May/June. The production and his costar were great, dont get me wrong, but I thought what he did was next level breathtaking.

[JoeW4]

Posted: 10/21/22 at 11:48am

willep said: "Wow. The Wrap review has managed to confuse the two actors."

Can you point out where they confuse the 2 actors? I just read the review and having trouble finding any suggestion of that. Maybe they fixed it? Or I'm just missing it...

 

[Dan6]

Posted: 10/21/22 at 12:37pm

JoeW4 said: "willep said: "Wow. The Wrap review has managed to confuse the two actors."

Can you point out where they confuse the 2 actors? I just read the review and having trouble finding any suggestion of that. Maybe they fixed it? Or I'm just missing it...
 

They fixed it. The entire review was initially written with Abdul-Mateen as Lincoln and Hawkins as Booth... every name was transposed.

 

[pethian]

Posted: 10/21/22 at 3:27pm

These reviews are rapturous. I so hope it helps give the box office the boost that the show deserves.

[quizking101]

Posted: 10/21/22 at 5:32pm

The reviews are spot on consistent with my belief that this is the show to beat in terms of revivals

Also, I did in person rush for tonight…FRONT ROW ON THE AISLE (but it sadly looks remarkably undersold)

[BETTY22]

Posted: 10/21/22 at 5:59pm

These reviews are so dazzling - I just got tickets for tomorrow. Cannot wait. 

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 1/13/23 at 1:09pm

The revival closes this Sunday. Does anyone plan on attending one of this weekend's final performances?

[kwoc91]

Posted: 1/13/23 at 1:27pm

jacobsnchz14 said: "The revival closes this Sunday. Does anyone plan on attending one of this weekend's final performances?"

I saw Wednesday's evening performance via lottery win. The house appeared sold out (if not, it was very close). 

I'm so glad I was able to see this before it closed! Brilliant acting from both leads, but Corey Hawkins was incredible.