Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Terrence McNally’s FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIR DE LUNE is in good hands with Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon

• By drediman
• June 4, 2019
• No Comments

Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon in Terrence Mcnally’s “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune” at the Broadhurst Theatre. Photo by Deen van Meer.

Last week, the Broadway revival of Terrence McNally’s Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, led by Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon in the titular roles, opened at the Broadhurst Theatre. I have fond memories of the last Main Stem outing of the well-regarded two-hander from 1987. That would be the 2002 mounting starring the terrific duo of Edie Falco and Stanley Tucci (the original production starred Kathy Bates and F. Murray Abraham). Mr. McNally’s play depicts two lonely, if somewhat mis-matched souls – a waitress and a cook, both approaching middle age – who fumble at and spar about love over the course of a single night. Is it a one night stand? Or is the time they spend the start of a lifelong journey together?

I’m happy to report that the current revival stands up to the memory of that previous staging. And somewhat surprisingly, Mr. McNally’s play has held up relatively well over the years (not the case for another similarly-themed play from the same era, Lanford Wilson’s Burn This, which is also currently being revived on Broadway). His tête-à-tête still penetrates with its honest, clear-eyed depiction of love and relationships. Indeed, I still find the venerable playwright’s ability to write dialogue that’s both accessible yet uncompromising and raw to be very much evident in Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, in my opinion one of his very best works.

Director Arin Arbus has helmed the piece with a light expressionistic touch – suggesting the timeless of the play’s themes – luckily without sacrificing the play’s gritty Hell’s Kitchen reality. Over the years, the play’s two juicy roles have become vehicles for some of our great actors (I also fondly recall seeing the absolutely fabulous Laurie Metcalf take on the role of Frankie in Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s staging 15 years ago!), which remains the case. It’s no surprise that the luminous six-time Tony winner Ms. McDonald excels as Frankie, finding ample nuance and a well of vulnerability in the role. However, the real revelation here is two-time Oscar Nominee Mr. Shannon – a magnetic stage presence – who brings considerable vitality and vivacious humor as Johnny. You simply can’t take your eyes off of him. Most importantly, there’s real chemistry between these exceptional, indisputable stars. We’re in good hands with these two.

RECOMMENDED

FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIR DE LUNE
Broadway, Play
Broadhurst Theatre
2 hours, 15 minutes (with one intermission)
Through August 25