THE HANGOVER REPORT – Clubbed Thumb’s Summerworks kicks off with USUS, T. Adamson’s caustic riff on religious devotion

Jon Norman Schneider and Ugo Chukwu in Clubbed Thumb’s Summerworks production of “Usus” by T. Adamson at the Wild Project (photo by Maria Baranova).

Over the years, Clubbed Thumb’s Summerworks has become an ideal incubator of playwrights, attracting some of the city’s most exciting actors, designers, and directors to support up-and-coming theatrical voices. More often than not, the end products have surprised me with their polish and distinctive points of view. The 2024 iteration of the mini-festival of new works recently got underway — as usual at The Wild Project in the East Village — with T. Adamson’s Usus and continues with two additional shows in June (first Bailey Williams’s Coach Coach, then Crystal Finn’s Find Me Here).

Set during the 1300s, Usus tells the story of six devout Franciscan friars who work themselves up while debating their beliefs vis-à-vis the Pope’s seemingly contrasting agenda. Happily, Adamson’s new play fits squarely within the mold of the Summerworks profile — namely its breezy yet surreal storytelling and offbeat sketch comedy humor. The resulting play is a caustic riff on religious devotion that volleys between parody and sincerity. Stylistically, the most striking thing about the text is how it aggressively juxtaposes modern vernacular with the self-flagellating mindset of early Christians, often to amusing — if not jarring — effect.

As per usual, the production is top-notch. As directed by Emma Miller, Usus strikes an uncanny balance between ritual and play, ultimately taking neither side. Visually, the production goes for an elegantly suggestive post-medieval look that befits the world that T. Adamson has created (particular special mention to set designer Ant Ma and costume designer Phuong Nguyen). Also as per usual, the performances across the board are inspired and finely-tuned. Included in the fine ensemble cast are such fantastic downtown theater stalwarts as Jon Norman Schneider and the singular David Greenspan.

RECOMMENDED

USUS
Off-Broadway, Play
Clubbed Thumb‘s Summerworks at The Wild Project
1 hour, 5 minutes (without an intermission)
Through May 28

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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