C-
Because I thoroughly enjoyed Jeremy O. Harris’s Slave Play at New York Theatre Workshop a few months ago, I have been looking forward to his new play for Vineyard Theatre and The New Group, now playing at Pershing Square Signature Center. While it shares with the earlier play a focus on interracial relationships, it unfortunately lacks that play’s wit and resonance. Subtitled “A Melodrama,” it revolves around Franklin (Ronald Peet; Spill, Cute Activist), a young LA-based black artist; Andre (Alan Cumming; Cabaret), the rich, white, middle-aged art collector with whom he begins a relationship; and Zora (Charlayne Woodard; Ain’t Misbehavin’, War), Franklin’s bible-quoting disapproving mother. We also meet Franklin’s vapid friends Bethany (Kahyun Kim; Love and Money) and Max (Tommy Dorfman; “13 Reasons Why”) as well as Alessia (Hari Nef, “Transparent”), the brassy owner of the gallery where Franklin is about to have his first show. There is also a three-woman gospel choir (Carrie Compere, Denise Manning, Onyie Nwachuckwu) whose presence adds a fanciful touch. For a good chunk of the first act, Franklin and Andre debate the contemporary art scene. While Bethany is inspired by Franklin’s good fortune in finding a sugar daddy, Max is jealous and resentful. Alessia is excited at the prospect of representing a hot new artist who will put her gallery on the map. Zora senses a threat and comes to town to see what’s up. She and Andre do not hit it off. We see the ups and downs of Franklin’s relationships at length — great length. Harris knows how to go for the theatrical: an onstage swimming pool, extensive male frontal nudity, simulated gay sex, larger than life dolls and that gospel choir. Alas, he is better at grabbing our attention than at maintaining it. My interest waned long before the third and final act drew to a close. Alan Cumming and Charlayne Woodard are always worth seeing onstage. The wonderful set design by Matt Saunders (Pipeline, Venus) featuring the pool of a Bel Air mansion is beautifully lit by Isabella Byrd (The Thanksgiving Play). The costumes by Montana Levi Blanco (Fabulation, In the Blood) add to the LA vibe. Director Danya Taymor (Pass Over, Familiar) keeps things moving smoothly except for an awkward scene break in the final act that many in the audience thought (or hoped) was the play’s ending. There are some worthwhile moments in the play, but they do not add up to a satisfying work. Running time: two hours 50 minutes including two intermissions. NOTE: Avoid rows A and B. People in row A will need the towels they have been provided to protect them from splashes from the pool. There is no rake between rows A and B so if you are sitting in row B behind a tall person, you are out of luck.
