A powerful and emotionally charged play that symbolically depicts the constant and ongoing battle Black men face in our society. Two men spend their days on a street corner going through a set of choreographed motions, passing the time together. They live in fear that the police will come kill them at any moment. Throughout the play their conversations are suddenly and abruptly interrupted by a thundering sound and darkness; both men freeze and look around for the predator, only resuming their activity once the coast is confirmed clear on all sides.
The Performers All three actors are excellent, drawing the audience into the experience with very little plot or action with which to work. Jon Michael Hill, as Moses, inspires his friend and brother Kitch (Namir Smallwood) and the two men have a dynamic chemistry as they banter and share their wishes for a better life. Gabriel Ebert brings dark comic relief when he arrives as Mister and sets up an improbable picnic on the block for the men. The Set The barebones street corner could be any street corner, which of course is the point. But the revelatory moment at the end of the play is enhanced and complemented by the unexpected beyond the street corner: a densely beautiful wilderness. The Choreography and Direction Subtle, yet effective. The men move in unison or in reaction to each other, imbuing an added layer of meaning into their words. Lilli Cooper has an amazing voice and is a great performer. At 8 months pregnant, she understandably signed on for just two nights at 54 Below. But keep an eye out because Cooper is a Broadway baby and probably won't be able to stay away for too long. Ever since we saw her as Sandy in Spongebob Squarepants and as Julie in Tootsie, she's been on my radar.
Since Cooper was "singing for two" at this show, she compiled a variety of songs that she hopes her son will love as much as she does. As she sang each number - Aretha, Whitney, Beyonce, Lizzo... it became clear that almost all of the songs or arrangements Cooper chose were written by or performed by Black women. She did throw in "Mack the Knife", but prefaced that she'd be performing it as Ella Fitzgerald once did (when Ella improvised the lyrics because she forgot the words mid-song). A couple of the songs were less mainstream, such as "Miles and Miles" from the 2020 Netflix movie Jingle Jangle. Only a few people in the audience cheered when Cooper asked if anyone was familiar with the movie that she described in 4 words - "Black, Christmas, Movie, Musical." But after she sang the song I wouldn't be surprised if most of the audience went home and watched the movie. We definitely did, and as much as I enjoyed Cooper's show all by itself, I'm so glad we went because we also found out about this movie. It's definitely one of the better movie musicals in recent years with an all-star cast, original songs by John Legend and Philip Lawrence, a cogent plot, decent acting (even the kids!), great choreography, and amazing visuals. I don't go to church, but I imagine that the feeling of connection and bliss that I felt at this intimate and powerful performance is similar to what a religious person feels during prayer or a meaningful sermon. André de Shields is a big personality; he has a palpable presence in a room, he knows it, and he knows how to use it too.
Each of the 3 vocalists (Kimberly Marable, Lori Tishfield, and Freida Williams) enters from a different corner of the room, donning elaborately bejeweled headpieces and colorfully patterned umbrellas. Then Mr. de Shields makes his entrance with a feather in his top hat, a long black and white kimono draped over his tuxedo, and of course, a monochromatic umbrella to match. From spoken word to an oldies mash-up to solo songs from each of the vocalists, every moment of this performance was mesmerizing. During one his monologues - inspired by a diary he kept during 2020 - Mr. de Shields declares, "We have angered the Creator". To me, this statement encapsulates the world's current crises. No matter what or who you believe in, I think it's clear that something or someone is angry. The pandemic, the wild fires, the storms, and the discord in our society are an angry response to our collective actions (or inaction). Whatever the cause, music is a powerful antidote. If it's not obvious by now, this was a show you should have seen. It's too late now! But hopefully a recording is archived somewhere for posterity (to be aired during the next pandemic lockdown), and there is a short YouTube video that captures a few minutes of the performance. Also in just a few short weeks, the incomparable André de Shields will resume his role as Hermes in Hadestown on Broadway. |
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