Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

D

The amount of talent behind this new Broadway comedy is almost breathtaking. Playwright Taylor Mac (Hir) is a MacArthur Fellow and Pulitzer finalist. The stars are multiple Tony winner Nathan Lane (Angels in America, The Producers) , Tony nominee Kristine Nielsen (Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike) and Tony winner Julie White (The Little Dog Laughed). The director George C. Wolfe (Angels in America), set designer Santo Loquasto (Cafe Crown) and costume designer Ann Roth (The Nance) are all Tony winners. The original music is by Grammy and Emmy winner Danny Elfman and the movement consultant is Bill Irwin (Old Hats). With this array of talent, what could possibly go wrong? Just about everything, as it turns out. The script is a lumpy mixture of jokes about farts, bodily fluids and corpses, rhymed couplets, nods to sociopolitical significance and a ballet for oversized synchronized prosthetic penises. The title character is a former clown who aspires to be a fool. He and Janice (Nielsen) are charged with the Herculean task of cleaning the banquet hall piled high with corpses from the final scene of Titus Andronicus in time for the new emperor’s inauguration. (Some familiarity with Shakespeare’s tragedy is helpful but not really essential.) This involves pumping out the gas and bodily fluids from the corpses, a task played for laughs. The two cleaners are soon joined by Carol, the court nurse who emerges from the pile of corpses, erroneously thought to be dead. Carol is racked by guilt for not preventing the murder of the infant in her care. Gary and Janice philosophize about how the little people have to clean up after their leaders’ dirty deeds. Gary and Janice decide to put on a show, a production number that briefly enlivens the proceedings. The role of Gary does not show Lane to best advantage. The ever-watchable Nielsen is fine, but, surprisingly, it is White who steals the show. While I had heard reports that many people walked out of early previews, I did not see anyone leave. On the contrary, most of the people around me seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. At the risk of being branded a Philistine, I must confess that I have thus far been unable to acquire a taste for Taylor Mac. Running time: 95 minutes, no intermission.

Old Hats (2016 Version) ****

Three years ago Bill Irwin and David Shiner brought this two-man show to the Signature Theatre where it was wildly successful. Happily, they are back. Here are some excerpts from my 2013 review:  “Their hair may be a bit grayer and sparser, but these two talented mimes have not lost an iota of inventiveness or plasticity. The several skits they perform alone and together keep the laughs coming, almost without pause. Between skits and at intermission, the lovely composer/singer/pianist” Shania Taub “leads a band of five in her catchy songs with wry lyrics. Individually, Irwin and Shiner are superb, but the sparks they create together make their joint skits even funnier. "A Magic Act," featuring Shiner as a slinky magician with a pomaded ponytail and Irwin in a blonde curly wig and high heels as his assistant, is by itself worth the price of admission. The two break their silence for a moment early in the second act with an amusing outcome. In “Cowboy Cinema,” Shiner plays a silent film director shooting a saloon scene with four "volunteers" from the audience with hilarious results. The clever projections by Wendall K. Harrington add to the fun. G.W. Mercier's scenic and costume designs are delightful. The sound design by John Gromada contributes to the merriment. Tina Landau's direction keeps things lively." If you need a good laugh, there’s no better place to spend two hours.

Old Hats *****

It has been 20 years since Bill Irwin and David Shiner brought their two-man show"Fool Moon" to Broadway. It was such a hit that it returned three years later and again three years after that. I hope that their new show "Old Hats." now in previews at Signature Theatre, will be equally successful. With the possible exception of "All in the Timing," you won't find as many laughs in any other New York theater today. Their hair may be a bit grayer and sparser, but these two talented mimes have not lost an iota of inventiveness or plasticity. The several skits they perform alone and together keep the laughs coming, almost without pause. Between skits and at intermission, the lovely composer/singer/pianist Nellie McKay leads a band of five in her catchy songs with wry lyrics. Individually, Irwin and Shiner are superb, but the sparks they create together make their joint skits even funnier. "A Magic Act," featuring Shiner as a slinky magician with a pomaded ponytail and Irwin in a blonde curly wig and high heels as his assistant, is by itself worth the price of admission. The two break their silence for a moment early in the second act with an amusing outcome. In a reprise from their earlier show, Shiner plays a silent film director shooting a scene from a cowboy movie with four "volunteers" from the audience with hilarious results. The clever projections by Wendall K. Harrington add to the fun. G.W. Mercier's scenic and costume designs are delightful. The lighting design by Peter Kaczorowski and the sound design by John Gromada contribute to the merriment. Tina Landau's direction keeps things lively. Get your ticket while you can or you'll miss out on two hours of delight.