Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Page 73 presents MAN CAVE, John J. Caswell, Jr.’s uneven but ultimately empowering psychological thriller

• By drediman
• March 24, 2022
• No Comments

Last night at the Connelly Theater in the East Village, I attended Page 73’s Off-Broadway production of Man Cave by John J. Caswell, Jr. Set in the claustrophobic basement of a Republican Congressman’s Arizona mansion (kudos to Adam Rigg’s clever and highly detailed basement set, which in and of itself is a character), the world premiere play tells the story of four Latinx women who – over the course of one spook-filled evening – face off with the challenging realities of their respective lives. The question is, however, will they survive the night?

The play mashes social commentary with the genres of horror and psychological thriller – an approach similarly used to exciting and illuminating effect by filmmaker Jordan Peele in such movies as Get Out. Mr. Caswell’s concoction is a fascinating if uneasy combination, at least initially. Only once the play moves past any awkwardness in balancing tone and finds its groove – especially in the more metaphysical second act – does the playwright’s vision come to full fruition. Indeed, Mr. Caswell’s stylized but intense exploration of the intergenerational trauma experienced by unsung Latinx women caused by abuse and socioeconomic disparity ultimately rings true. To see his characters take control of their lives (albeit, in an unorthodox manner) is an empowering sight to see.

The play is directed by Taylor Reynolds, who as of yet grapples with the play’s ambitious cross-pollinations. Although the production does a good job of executing the play’s myriad of technical requirements – there are quite a number lighting, sound, and prop cues (the design work overall is superlative) – her staging never really terrifies in the way that it should (the director could take some heed from Joe Mantello’s unnerving, subtle work in Stephen Karam’s The Humans). Lastly, the quartet of performances are very good; each actress imbues their character with authenticity and vivid personalities.

RECOMMENDED

MAN CAVE
Off-Broadway, Play
Page 73 at the Connelly Theater
2 hours, 10 minutes (with one intermission)
Through April 2