February offers more than Valentine’s Day presents–here are some gifts I can vouch for:
Run to see “The Mother” by Florian Zeller at Atlantic. I’ve seen it in London and it’s terrific. The addition of Isabelle Huppert as the central enigmatic character can only heighten this stunning play.
Don’t miss the iconic “The Shadow of a Gunman” at Irish Rep, part of their Sean O’Casey season. This classic story will transport you back to the bad old days of 1921 Ireland.
Another welcome revival is “Boesman and Lena” at Signature, from their resident playwright, Athol Fugard. It’s directed by the magical theatremaker, Yael Farber (who directed the Best of Edinburgh Award winner, “Mies Julie”). I remember the simple, heartbreaking story vividly although I saw it during its 1992 production, reviewed here.
If you missed the 1913 production of “The Price of Thomas Scott” by Elizabeth Baker, you might have to hurry over to The Mint for their latest rediscovered masterpiece. I never fail to marvel at the eternal relevance of Jonathan Bank’s long unseen finds and their gorgeous productions!
If your taste runs to new writing, as mine does, please go to LCT3 for “Marys Seacole” by Jackie Sibbles Drury. It stars the ever fabulous Quincy Tyler Bernstine as a Jamaican woman determined to expand her horizons.
Another new play, “Recent Alien Abductions,” by Jorge Ignacio Cortinas, will be at Play Co. It comes with great reviews from The Humana Festival.
Try to make a trip to Brooklyn’s Bushwick Starr for Ma Yi Theatre’s “Suicide Forest” by Christine Haruna Lee. It explores a strange and awkward relationship in 1990s male dominated Japan.
I’m curious about “City of No Illusions” at La Mama by Talking Band. I’m ashamed to say I didn’t know this 44 year old company, until I read Ben Brantley’s article in the New York Times. Maybe your curiosity will take you down to East 4th Street, too.
Hope to see you this month— please say hello if you see me in the theatre!
Carol Tambor publishes a monthly newsletter, which announces worthy shows coming to New York, along with occasional information about London theatre and, of course, the Edinburgh Fringe.