Playwrights Horizons goes a long way toward redeeming a lackluster season with this final offering, a co-production with Page 73 Productions, an organization devoted to giving New York professional debuts to talented early-career playwrights. Michael R. Jackson (White Girl in Danger), who clearly falls into that category, has written one of the most original, unruly, affecting, outrageously theatrical shows of the season. Jackson’s protagonist is Usher, a 25-year-old overweight, gay, black man who supports his dream to write musicals by ushering at The Lion King. The musical he is struggling to write is about a 25-year-old overweight, gay, black man who supports his dream to write musicals by ushering at The Lion King. Thus the loop of the title. We witness the many roots of Usher’s self-loathing and the desperation to which it can lead. In one ironic twist, the negative prejudice he encounters when seeking sex is mainly from blacks, while he is an object of desire from whites who crave interracial sex. All Usher’s mother wants from him is to write a gospel play in the style of Tyler Perry, whose work he loathes. There is not really a linear plot; instead we get a stylized, occasionally metatheatrical, examination of Usher’s psyche. The show is often hysterically funny, but Usher’s pain cannot be suppressed and breaks through powerfully from time to time. Larry Owens (Gigantic) is no less than magnificent as Usher; he gives his all and then some. The six marvelous actors — Antwayn Hopper (The Loophole), James Jackson, Jr. (The Black-Ups), L. Morgan Lee (Jesus Christ Superstar), John-Michael Lyles (This Ain’t No Disco), John-Andrew Morrison (The Missionary) and Jason Veasey (The Lion King)—who share the stage with him are only identified as Thoughts 1 through 6 so I unfortunately can’t single out any of them for special praise. The music is lively; the lyrics are so dense that it is occasionally difficult to catch everything at first hearing. The production pulls out all the stops. Arnulfo Maldonado’s (I Was Most Alive with You) initially unimpressive set undergoes a series of amazing transformations. Montana Levi Bianco’s (Ain’t No Mo) multiple costumes for each actor are a treat to see. Raja Feather Kelly’s choreography (Funnyhouse of a Negro, Fairview) adds a lot to the production. Director Stephen Brackett (Be More Chill, Buyer & Cellar) skillfully holds everything together. This was certainly one of the most exciting and original shows I saw this year. Would that Playwrights Horizons achieved these heights more often! Running time: one hour 45 minutes; no intermission. NOTE: If you are uncomfortable with rough language and simulated sodomy, this is most definitely not the show for you.
Playwrights Horizons has provided a trailer on their website. Here’s a link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgHEnOb9B9Q
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