Who saw Larry Owens in A Strange Loop?

[binau]

Posted: 7/8/23 at 4:18am

I thought Kyle was INCREDIBLE in this role in London right now, but I must admit even now when my 'eyes are not open, which is the most of the time' all I can hear is Larry's voice on the OOBC, not just for the sheer power of the vocals but all the nuances in the way he sings those songs. Did Larry sound this good live? Was there something a bit extra/special about his performance too or ultimately would my experience seeing Kyle, for example, be of a similar magnitude? 

[Kad]

Posted: 7/8/23 at 9:58am

Owens was phenomenal at Playwrights. It was a true, bonafide star turn. He sounded fantastic and, most importantly, he had the comedic chops to turn the “Writing a Gospel Play” monologue (and then the later echo of it in the Tyler Perry fantasy sequence) into a true showstopping feat. Jacquel and Kyle were both good, but Larry comes from a comedy background that really, really made that transcendent. He also brought an edge to the part that was softened considerably on Broadway- he was unafraid to be unlikable and ugly at parts, which made his Usher more complicated and nuanced. I’m glad his performance is at least immortalized on the off Broadway album. 
 

I’ve only heard rumors of why Owens didn’t continue on- and they line up with things I’ve heard about him from others who have worked with him on other projects- but it’s a shame he didn’t. 

Updated On: 7/8/23 at 09:58 AM

[quizking101]

Posted: 7/8/23 at 11:06am

I never saw Owens, but from videos I have seen, there is definitely a rougher, unrefined edge to his portrait of Usher - like someone else said “not afraid to be unlikeable and ugly”. Based on the script (that was awarded the Pulitzer), the Playwrights production had more in it that was darker and more coarse than what was on Broadway.

On Broadway, I found that every Usher is fundamentally different, just like all the Thoughts and their understudies.

Jaquel’s was very much naïve, but self-aware enough to know that the world is slowly trying to break him down and reduce his worth. His was loveable and sassy, making an Usher you always want to root for and by the end, just wanted to hug like a hurt puppy. Kyle’s has more sarcasm and bite and, like Larry, seems unafraid to seem unlikable at times, which belies his crystalline vocals and creates good contrast for the ultimately cathartic delivery of “Memory Song” into the title song finale. Edwin was somewhere in between there, definitely more sass than Jaquel, but less bite than Kyle. I loved them all equally.

Oddly enough, when I think of “Gospel Play”, I always shuffle around who I’d want as each if they ever performed it as a trio and I think I would want Kyle as “Ain’t Patty”, Jaquel as “Shaneefah”, and Edwin as “Michelle”

[Synecdoche2]

Posted: 7/8/23 at 11:45am

Kad said: "Owens was phenomenal at Playwrights. It was a true, bonafide star turn. ... He also brought an edge to the part that was softened considerably on Broadway- he was unafraid to be unlikable and ugly at parts, which made his Usher more complicated and nuanced."

100%. Owens was the secret weapon of why the show was so good off-Broadway. It was like Victoria Clark as (musical) Kimberly or Katrina Lenk as Dena: he was absolutely definitive. His performance balanced the show and made it much scarier and angrier rather than the sort-of pitiful quality it gained during the Broadway transfer.

Lots of people at Playwrights thought Owens was the author of the show — I don't think anyone would make that mistake with Spivey.

[Kad]

Posted: 7/8/23 at 11:57am

Yeah and frankly, I would not be surprised to learn that chunks of the show were originally tailored specifically to Owens’ abilities (particularly those multi character monologues). His Usher was a strong character, which actually made you like him and root for him more. Yes, he was stubborn and bitchy and angry at himself and the world- but he was surviving the things being thrown at him and there was a sense that all he needed was to realign and refocus and then would be unstoppable. It wasn’t a pitiful or self-pitying performance. 
 

One can only wonder how the show would’ve fared on Broadway if it did have such a “you HAVE to see this performance” star turn anchoring it. For all the praise for Jacquel, his performance never rose to that “must see” status. 

Updated On: 7/8/23 at 11:57 AM

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 7/8/23 at 12:10pm

Larry's performance was difficult.  He struggled vocally, and physically with the movement, the two times we saw it at PH.  It was perhaps too much for him, live? His acting, one note.   He sounds better on the album than live.

We found the Ushers on Broadway to be unique and much better suited for the role with layered performances & stronger vocals. Didn't worry they might not make it through the show physically, vocally .  He wasn't invited to the Broadway production for ... other reasons...

Updated On: 7/8/23 at 12:10 PM

[quizking101]

Posted: 7/8/23 at 2:00pm

The official reason I recall was “decided to pursue TV opportunities” (which he did have).

[dan94]

Posted: 7/8/23 at 6:30pm

I found those final 2 weeks on Broadway with their coverage problems kinda telling. It seemed clear they were down an Usher and started putting Michael R Jackson on in concert performances. Some performances were cancelled. Meanwhile Larry Owens was sitting available in NY.

Yes the show shockingly had a lot of book revisions between Playwrights and Broadway (and for the better). But you had an Usher in NY available who knew 90% of the show and knew the staging. I have to imagine Larry wasn't financially out of reach if probably not exactly affordable at that point. Seems like that door was firmly bolted shut whatever happened between Owens and ASL.

Christopher Michael Richardson also understudied the part at Woolly Mammoth. I was slightly surprised to see him also not show up when they were in such a bind at the end of the run.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/8/23 at 10:05pm

I think the author is the reason. Still hoping it shows up in Chicago!