‘Between Riverside and Crazy’ a must-see

‘BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY’ (left to right): Stephen McKinley Henderson, Elizabeth Canavan, Michael Rispoli, Common,  Liza Colon Zayas & Rosal Colon. Photo: Joan Marcus

BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY
Written by Stephen Adly Guirgis
Directed by Austin Pendleton
Through February 19, 2023
Second Stage at the Hayes Theater
240 West 44th Street
(212-239-6200), www.2ST.com

By David NouNou

Stephen Adly Guirgis won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize in Drama for Between Riverside and Crazy—crazy on the outside, but cunningly crafted on the inside. On the surface it first comes across as grifters taking advantage of an old man, but once the surface is scratched, there is a minefield percolating, ready to explode.

Walter “Pops” Washington (Stephen McKinley Henderson) is a retired black policeman who was accidentally shot by a white officer eight years ago. He turned down a lucrative settlement that did not meet his demands. He has been pursuing a discrimination suit against the police department. He lives in a large rent-controlled three-bedroom apartment on Riverside Drive and is now facing multiple eviction notices.

Pops’ wife Dolores has died a few years earlier. He now lives with a recovering drug addict, Oswaldo (Victor Almanzar), as well as his son “Junior” (Common) who has just been released from jail and living with them is Junior’s girlfriend, Lulu (Rosal Colon).

“Pops” is visited by three guests, not ghosts: Detective O’Connor (Elizabeth Canavan) who used to be Pops’ old partner when he was on the force, and Lieutenant Caro (J. Anthony Crane), her fiancé. Both have come to talk sense into Pops in accepting the force’s final offer. Also visiting is Church Lady (Maria-Christina Oliveras) who has come to comfort “Pops” by having him accept Jesus and find salvation.

The characters are set, and what’s unfolds takes place in multiple rooms in Pops’ shabby, overstuffed apartment. The set is an ingenious one designed by Walt Spangler where the set revolves and the actors and action flow seamlessly from room to room.

It is always a delight to see a formidable actor who has finally landed a role of a lifetime that is tailor made for his talents, and one in which he dominates. Having formerly seen Stephen McKinley Henderson in: King Hedley II, Fences and A Raisin in the Sun, he has always been a consummate actor that delivered the performances but never really got the attention he deserved, because he was always in supporting roles. At last, now at 73, Mr. McKinley is a star, giving one of the season’s devilishly outstanding performances.

Common as Junior, making his Broadway debut, has an incredible presence and delivers a heartfelt performance. Maria-Christina Oliveras as Church Lady gives a performance that has to be seen to be believed. It is outrageous in the most flattering of ways.

Best known for the 2011 The Motherf**ker With the Hat,  Stephen Adly Guirgis delivers another thoroughly enjoyable “dramedy” with salty language suitable to the characters. However, it is his star, Stephen McKinley Henderson, that is the steam to this percolating cauldron.

Edited by Scott Harrah
Published January 4, 2023
Reviewed at January 3, 2023 press performance.

‘BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY’: Stephen McKinley Henderson. Photo: Joan Marcus.

‘BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY: Stephen McKinley Henderson, Elizabeth Canavan & Michael Rispoli . Photo: Joan Marcus.

‘BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY’: Victor Almanzar. Photo: Joan Marcus.

‘BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY’: Stephen McKinley Henderson & Common. Photo: Joan Marcus 2022.