Underground Railroad Game

B+

Since winning the Obie in 2017 for “best new American theatre work,” this hilariously discomfiting examination of race, sex and power by Jennifer Kidwell (A Hard Time) and Scott R. Sheppard (The Appointment) has been on an extended domestic and international tour. Now it is back in New York at Ars Nova’s new downtown base at Barrow Street Theatre for an encore run. It is clearly not for everyone. If you are offended by nudity, depiction of sexual fantasies and/or rough language, you should skip this one. The two creators, who are also the entire cast, play middle school teachers — the black Caroline and the white Stuart — who are introducing their students to a participatory unit on the Civil War. To enliven things, they have created the titular game in which Union soldiers get points for rescuing escaped slaves while Confederate troops win points for capturing them. (Sheppard actually experienced such a game in fifth grade.) The audience is occasionally induced to be the student body at an assembly. Each audience member has either a grey or blue toy soldier taped beneath the seat. The audience involvement is minor and too mild to be annoying. As the unit progresses, Caroline and Stuart cautiously begin a relationship. The chasm between them grows as unexpected lessons are learned. The play, which jumps rapidly from the lesson plan to fantasies and surreal episodes, is so crammed with material that it is hard to believe that it is only 75 minutes long. The design credit is divided between Tillly Grimes (The Government Inspector) for production and Steven Dufala for scenic. I don’t know who did what, but the result is highly effective, as is Oona Curley’s (Good Grief) lighting. Director Taibi Magar (Blue Ridge) holds all the diverse elements together skillfully. The actors are both amazing. Since they are also the authors, they have no one to blame but themselves for what they are put through. I was alternately amused, annoyed, shocked and baffled. I don’t know whether you will love it or hate it, but I can guarantee that you won’t be bored. NOTE: Except for the last two rows, the auditorium is unraked so an unobstructed view is a matter of luck.