| Our Lady of 121st St. | |
| Posted by: Shutterbug 12:02 pm EDT 05/23/18 | |
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| Haven't read much here about this production. I saw an early preview at the beginning of May and was reminded of what a wonderful play this is - dark, funny, raw - good stuff. Through the lives and conflicts of a group of deeply flawed individuals, who gather for the wake of a nun they all knew, Gurgis explores our ambivalent relationships with our faith, our past, and each other. I saw the original production directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman. I think Hoffman had a more intuitive feel for the characters than Felicia Rashad does here. Since this is a character-driven piece, that makes a difference. Under Hoffman's direction the play seemed tighter, and the wonderful Liza Colon Zayas made a strong impression as "nasty Norca." It was one of those performances that has stayed with me all these years. You could feel Norca's pain and vulnerability simmering just below a thin surface veneer of rage and aggression. Here, Paola Lazaro as Norca, doesn't give as fully realized a performance. She hits the angry notes but isn't as dimensional as Colon-Zayas was. In the current production, it's Tyler Quincy Bernstein, as jilted wife Inez, who makes the strongest impression. She's fantastic here and is one of those actors who literally melts into a role leaving no trace of the actor herself. Gurgis' ear for street vernacular is remarkable. I feel like I know these characters. So glad the production extended. Highly recommended. |
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