THE HANGOVER REPORT – Sean Daniels’ candidly autobiographical THE WHITE CHIP returns to New York for an encore run

Crystal Dickinson, Joe Tapper, and Jason Tam in Sean Daniels’ “The White Chip” at the Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space (photo by Matthew Murphy).

This weekend at the Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space in Hell’s Kitchen, I had the opportunity to catch up with Sean Daniels’ candidly autobiographical The White Chip, which returns to New York after a successful 2019 run at Off-Broadway’s 59E59 Theaters (I had missed that previous run). In short, the piece is about the sly treacheries and perils of alcoholism, especially as experienced by Steven (a stand-in for Daniels), a theater director whose descent is made all the more harrowing given his immense charm and potential.

As a sobering examination of alcoholism, The White Chip makes for an interesting companion piece to Days of Wine and Roses, which has also returned to the boards in its Main Stem incarnation at Studio 54. However, unlike that musical’s murkily indeterminate ending, The White Chip‘s well earned, sturdily hopeful conclusion is balanced nicely with the helplessness and despair that precedes it. What Daniels’ piece makes painfully clear is the fact that addicts must constantly and vigilantly navigate being on a slippery slope – the chance of sinking back into a relapse is an ever-present danger, regardless of how much in the clear you think you are. In terms of dramatic payoff, I was particularly moved by the evolution of Steven’s relationship with his mother – who herself has had to battle with the bottle – through his illness and ultimate recovery (no spoilers here).

The current Off-Broadway production has been directed by Sheryl Kaller with efficiency and heart (Kaller returns to the production after having also directed the play’s 2019 run). In the central role of Steven, Joe Tapper is ideal, displaying a great deal of charisma and honesty in his long journey to the bottom of the barrel and back again. Supporting Tapper are the highly capable Crystal Dickinson and Jason Tam, who are simply terrific in all the other roles. The way they are able to so thoroughly shape-shift throughout is a testament to their considerable abilities as actors.

RECOMMENDED

THE WHITE CHIP
Off-Broadway, Play
The Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space
1 hour, 30 minutes (without an intermission)
Through March 9

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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