VIEWPOINTS – Two theatrical legends masterfully take the stage Off-Broadway: Len Cariou in TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE and Charles Busch in IBSEN’S GHOST

Over the past few days, I had the pleasure of catching two legends of the theater masterfully take the stage in a pair of Off-Broadway shows. As per usual, read on for my thoughts.

Chris Domig and Len Cariou in Sea Dog Theater’s production of Mitch Albom’s “Tuesdays with Morrie” at St. George’s Episcopal Church (photo by Jeremy Varner).

TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE
Sea Dog Theater at St. George’s Episcopal Church
Through April 20

First up at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Gramercy is Sea Dog Theater’s moving production of Mitch Albom’s popular memoir Tuesdays with Morrie (RECOMMENDED). Adapted for the stage by Albom and Jeffrey Hatcher, the elegantly distilled two-hander chronicles the real life relationship between a sports journalist (Albom) and his aging former sociology professor (Morrie Schwartz), who has been diagnosed with Lou Gehring’s Disease. As a guide to how to live the most meaningful life and a clear-eyed portrait of mortality, Albom’s autobiographical story — in whatever form it takes — benefits from the universality of its deeply human sentiments. Sea Dog’s production stars Tony-winner Len Cariou (most recognizable to musical theater fans for creating the title role in Sweeney Todd) as Morrie and Chris Domig (who also plays his own original piano compositions in the show) as Mitch, both of whom give emotionally articulate performances. At 84-years-young, Cariou is luminous and perfectly cast. Indeed, any chance to see this legend onstage in this twilight era of his illustrious career should not be missed. Despite working in a nontraditional venue, director Erwin Maas’s attractively minimalist staging nonetheless draws you in, particularly as enhanced by some sensitive design work (kudos to Guy de Lancey’s lighting and Eamon Goodman’s sound, especially). The Off-Broadway production has been deservedly extended an additional three weeks through April 20.

Charles Busch and Judy Kaye in Primary Stages’ production of “Ibsen’s Ghost” at 59E59 Theaters (photo by James Leynse).

IBSEN’S GHOST
Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters
Through April 14

Then over at 5959 Theaters, you’ll be able to catch Primary Stages and George Street Playhouse’s co-production of Charles Busch’s Ibsen’s Ghost (RECOMMENDED), in which Busch himself takes on the role of Suzanna Ibsen, the wife of the oft-performed Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. The curtain rises on a recently widowed Suzannah, whose plans to posthumously commemorate her husband and their marriage are dampened when his entitled mistress enters the picture. Having crafted a lengthy, storied career on the legitimate stage primarily in drag, the pioneering Busch is completely in his element playing the maligned Mrs. Ibsen. It’s a gently, lovingly campy performance that may leave fans of contemporary drag wanting more. Just compare Busch’s relatively mild mannered work here — inspired by the fluttery but civilized affectations of female characters in vintage Hollywood films — with Cole Escola’s outrageously over-the-top performance as Mary Todd Lincoln in the hit comedy Oh, Mary!, another speculatively biographical costume farce that’s currently packing them in downtown. But look more closely, and you’ll spot delicious subtleties in Busch’s portrayal; I encourage any serious fan of drag not to miss it. Carl Andress’s staging — which unspools on a handsome living room set designed by Shoko Kambara — takes clear direction from Busch’s performance, off of which the rest of the wonderful cast (including the likes of Tony-winner Judy Kaye) happily calibrate their performances.

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

Leave a Reply