THE HANGOVER REPORT – This FOOL FOR LOVE sizzles, crackles, and should not be missed

IMG_4206Part Taming of the Shrew, part ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, and all Sam Shepard, Fool for Love (by Mr. Shepard) famously examines a scorching and inevitable love that should not be. I’m happy to report that this pinnacle in Mr. Shepard’s canon is currently being given a thrilling, breathtakingly acted production by the Manhattan Theatre Club (the production originated last summer at the Williamstown Theater Festival) under Daniel Aukin’s scintillating, hypersenstive direction.

As the battling lovers, Sam Rockwell and Nina Arianda are absolutely sensational together. Their palpable chemistry and unflagging commitment to their roles elevate Eddie and May to the level of the mythic doomed love affairs – Tristan and Isolde and Romeo and Juliet come to mind. Mr. Rockwell and Ms. Arianda are given fine support by Tom Pelphrey as May’s hapless maybe-lover, and Gordon Joseph Weiss as the lovers’ lost, reminiscing father.

Mr. Aukin has done a truly remarkable job with this, one of Sam Shepard’s signature plays. He treats Fool for Love like a runaway train headed straight for a treacherous cliff (suffice to say, the production’s final moments epitomizes the term “cliffhanger”). The heightened tension and physicality he brings out of the play are truly exciting to watch. Mr. Aukin has also assembled a crack design team. The appropriately dingy and claustrophobic motel set is by Dane Laffrey, the pitch-perfect costume design is by Anita Yavich, the haunting lighting design is by Justin Townsend, and the smashing sound design is by Ryan Rumery (I still get shivers thinking about what he does with those door slams). Don’t miss it.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

 

FOOL FOR LOVE
Broadway, Play
Manhattan Theatre Club at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
1 hour, 15 minutes (with no intermission)
Through December 6

Categories: Broadway, Theater

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