‘1984’: Olivia Wilde, Tom Sturridge & the cast. Photo: Julieta Cervantes

1984
By George Orwell
A new adaptation created by Robert Icke & Duncan Macmillan
Directed by Robert Icke & Duncan Macmillan
Hudson Theatre
139-141 West 44th Street
855-801-5876. http://www.revisedtruth.com

By Scott Harrah

Those who have never read George Orwell’s 1984 are advised to do so before attending this hard-to-follow stage adaptation. The show recently transferred to Broadway after several runs in London and elsewhere in the United Kingdom. Even if you have read the book, there are plenty of disturbing scenes that pay homage to the classic novel about a dystopian future. Does it have parallels between Big Brother and the current administration in Washington? Perhaps, but even so, this is not an enjoyable or intellectually stimulating, intermission-free 101 minutes of theater.

In this age of “alternative facts” and claims of “fake news,” 1984 and its theme of reality being denied should seem like a chilling reminder of what’s happening in 2017, but the narrative as adapted by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan is simply so disjointed that it’s often puzzling to understand what’s happening, even if one is already familiar with the book’s plot.

Although the setting is 1984, we’re really watching things happen in, uh, 2050? (Don’t ask.) Winston (Tom Sturridge) is a bureaucrat rewriting history for the Ministry of Truth, in a world controlled by Big Brother and a network of telescreens that monitor people’s words and actions and the Thought Police try to eliminate “Thought crime.” After a nuclear holocaust, the world is divided into Eurasia, Eastasia and Oceania (which includes the United Kingdom and North America). The totalitarian government introduces a new language, “newspeak,” so no one even has the words to speak out against the state.

Winston commits the crime of falling in love with Julia (Olivia Wilde). A number of things happen as a result, but expect lots of shouting, creepy music, flashing lights, and some scenes with Winston and Olivia projected onto the stage like a film.

Ads for the Broadway version of 1984, PR for the show and even notices in the theater warn about graphic violence and “torture” scenes. Yes, there are some lurid sections, including a projected video close-up of a man being shot in the head and the consequential blood and gore, but by the time this happens, it all just seems so pointless. Other than an especially gripping performance by Tony Award winner Reed Birney as O’Brien, the overzealous Party leader, this 1984 adaptation, while ambitious, fails to “scare” and instead just disappoints us.

Edited by Scott Harrah
Published July 16, 2017

‘1984’: The cast. Photo: Julieta Cervantes

‘1984’: Reed Birney, Olivia Wilde & Tom Sturridge. Photo: Julieta Cervantes

‘1984’: Tom Sturridge & Reed Birney. Photo: Julieta Cervantes

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‘THE HUMANS’: (left to right) Reed Birney, Jane Houdyshell, Sarah Steele, Arian Moayed. Photo: Brigitte Lacombe

THE HUMANS
Written by Steven Karam
Directed by Joe Mantello
Helen Hayes Theatre
240 West 44th Street
(212-239-6200), www.thehumansonbroadway.com

By Scott Harrah

Dysfunctional family dramas have become a staple in American theater, but Steven Karam’s The Humans, which just transferred to Broadway after a brief run at the Roundabout Laura Pels, is the rare exception of such a play that resonates with a natural universality. Think of this as a one-act, abridged version of Tracey Letts’ August: Osage County with a supernatural twist. Director Joe Mantello has left everything from the Off Broadway version intact, from the fine cast to the unique, split-level set depicting a bare bones Manhattan basement duplex apartment.

Steven Karam, best known for his 2011 drama Sons of the Prophet, establishes himself as one of America’s leading playwrights here with the saga of the Blakes. The family has traveled from Scranton, Pennsylvania to spend Thanksgiving with daughter Brigid (Sarah Steele) and her boyfriend Richard (Arian Moayed) in their new Chinatown abode. In 95 minutes, we learn about the many troubles of the family. Brigid and Richard are swimming in student loan debt. Brigid’s parents Erik (Reed Birney) and Deirdre (Jane Houdyshell) are in their 60s and have mounting financial troubles, plus the burden of taking care of Erik’s mother, Momo (Lauren Klein), suffering from the late stages of Alzheimer’s. Older daughter Aimee (Cassie Beck), an attorney, is grappling with a debilitating health problem and a lackluster love life (her girlfriend recently dumped her).

Throughout the show, we hear strange sounds, many of which Brigid blames on an elderly neighbor, while others are attributed to a trash compactor. As the show progresses, the sounds become stranger and more jangled and disturbing. Are these the sounds of the neighbor, typical street noise in Manhattan, or something darker and more sinister? This is one of the many enigmas never explained.

The story has all the elements of a crisis-by-the-numbers, formulaic drama, but what sets it apart from others is the crisp, often hilarious dialogue and the onstage chemistry of the cast. Besides the personal turmoil of each character, there isn’t much else to the plot other than everyone is gathered to spend the most iconic American holiday together. The Blakes are folks who are much like many struggling middle-class Americans in the 21st century. They struggle to keep and find jobs and make ends meet and argue about religion and values, or even things as trivial as organic “super foods.”

What’s most remarkable here is the great ensemble acting, expertly directed by Joe Mantello. Mr. Birney and Ms. Houdyshell truly standout, but credit must also be given to the technical and set wizards of the show: David Zinn for his innovative scenic design; the lighting design by Justin Townsend; and the sound design of Fitz Patton because The Humans relies heavily on the set, sounds and lighting to evoke the mood and take the audience on an emotional ride that is already one of the 2015/2016 season’s most-talked-about dramas.

Edited by Scott Harrah
Published February 21, 2016
Reviewed at press performance on February 20, 2016

‘THE HUMANS’: Sarah Steele & Reed Birney. Photo: Brigitte Lacombe

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‘THE HUMANS’: (left to right) Sarah Steele, Arian Moayed, Jayne Houdyshell & Lauren Klein. Photo: Joan Marcus

THE HUMANS
Written by Steven Karam
Directed by Joe Mantello
Through December 27, 2015
Laura Pels Theatre
111 West 46th Street
(212-719-1300), www.Roundabouttheatre.org

By David NouNou

Stephen Karam is one of the most promising and exciting new playwrights to have emerged in the last 10 years. So I was most anxious to see what his follow-up to the exquisite 2011 production of Sons of the Prophet would be, and true to form, he has lived up to his early promise with The Humans.

For The Humans, he has created a puzzle in which all the pieces should fit together seamlessly but amazingly all the pieces have imperceptible jagged edges where nothing fits. The puzzle might as well have the setting of a “The Twilight Zone” episode and the outer parameter of the puzzle is centered on one of the most iconic American holidays, Thanksgiving. The Blake family has driven all the way from Scranton, Pennsylvania to celebrate Thanksgiving dinner with their younger daughter in her new basement duplex apartment in lower Manhattan, NYC.

As in Sons of the Prophet, everyone here carries a heavy burden and each person carries their burden in silence…until that fateful moment. Eric (Reed Bierney) and Deidre (Jayne Houdyshell) Blake have come with their older daughter, Aimee (Cassie Beck), and Momo (Lauren Klein), their Alzheimer-riddled mother, in what appears to be celebrating Thanksgiving with their younger daughter, Brigid (Sarah Steele) and her boyfriend Richard Saad (Arian Moayed) in what most any family would deem as a happy get-together and that’s all you’re going to get out of me.

I say this because I truly believe that each viewer has to formulate his or her own opinion when first viewing a new piece of such magnitude. It is unfair both to the playwright and the audience to divulge more information because it hinders the experience and the layers that the writer has imbued in this piece.

As directed by Joe Mantello, he extracts excellent performances from each of his cast members; however the veterans Reed Bierney and Jayne Houdyshell are standouts. In the wrong hands, this could have been a maudlin evening, but in Mr. Mantello’s hands, he keeps his cast and things moving at a fast-pace. I have to add that David Zinn’s set is a visual treat. His duplex anchors the show and all that is about to unfold.

This is a theatrical experience that is most enjoyable in a small, almost claustrophobic venue, so I urge you to see it at the Laura Pels Theatre. For this particular Thanksgiving dinner, you have to be a guest and not an audience member.

Edited by Scott Harrah
Published October 29, 2015
Reviewed at press performance on October 28, 2015

‘THE HUMANS’: (left to right) Cassie Beck, Arian Moayed, Reed Birney, Jayne Houdyshell, Lauren Klein & Sarah Steele. Photo: Joan Marcus

‘THE HUMANS’: (clockwise from top) Sarah Steele, Cassie Beck, Arian Moayed, Jayne Houdyshell & Reed Birney. Photo: Joan Marcus

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The newest flagship comedy web series, “What’s Your Emergency” will be premiering on January 27, directed by Michael Urie (“Ugly Betty,” Buyer & Cellar, “Partners”).  Created by and starring Ryan Spahn (Grantham & Rose and He’s Way More Famous Than You),) and Halley Feiffer (I’m Gonna Pray For You So Hard at Atlantic Theater Company, He’s Way More Famous Than You), “What’s Your Emergency” features a cast of beloved Broadway veterans including Sierra Boggess (It Shoulda Been You, The Little Mermaid, The Phantom of the Opera), Debra Monk (Curtains, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, “Mozart in the Jungle”), and Reed Birney (I’m Gonna Pray For You So Hard, “House of Cards,” Casa Valentina) in a six-episode arc. Taking place in Hell, Michigan, the show chronicles the misadventures of the inept rescue workers of the town’s 911 call center. The show will also feature a slew of guest stars including Urie’s “Ugly Betty” costar America Ferrera, Alan Cumming, Lynn Cohen, Richard Kind, David Krumholtz, and Mike Sorrentino.

“Stage17 epitomizes the kind of creativity I want to be a part of: quick delightful escapes from the everyday, material that caters to an audience with a theatrical sensibility, and a platform that reaches everyone, anywhere,” said Michael Urie, director of ‘What’ s Your Emergency.’  “In working on ‘What’s Your Emergency,’ I found in Stage17 leadership, artistic support, and as an added bonus we had a lot of fun.  I’m excited to take this journey with Stage17 as they become a major player in the future of web based entertainment.”

Working with Broadway’s best and brightest, Stage17 produces scripted and unscripted programming that lives exclusively on the site and aggregates great content from around the web with a theatrical bent.  Stage17 also captures and licenses live theatrical performances including Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, concerts, and cabaret which will be available on-demand in 2015.

  “Stage17 is thrilled to bring a unique viewing experience of digital content to Broadway fans, whether it be captures of live stage performances or web series born from the minds of theatrical artists,” said Ondine Landa Abramson, President and Executive Producer of Stage17.  “By bringing unique entertainment sourced from the theatrical community, the diversity of content that we are able to provide viewers, all over the globe, is fresh and engaging.”

 Additional popular web series are returning with new episodes in 2015 include “Middle (St)age,” “Fan Fare,” and “Dress Up! with George B. Style.” Additional details can be found below on these specific programs and the full list of shows can be found at http://stage17.tv/collections.

Middle (St)age introduces us to the quirky and upbeat Marina, a 40-something Broadway veteran who uses her fictional vlog to chronicle the trials and tribulations of an aging ingénue… as soon as she can figure out where the “Record” button is.

 Fan Fare, hosted by SiriusXM Radio personality Julie James, reunites the cast and creatives behind beloved Broadway productions at the legendary Sardi’s Restaurant. Relive the magic of your favorite shows with the people who made them possible!

Dress Up! with George B. Style invites you to join some of Broadway’s most radiant stars as they prepare for glamorous galas and ritzy red carpets, under the guidance of celebrity stylist George Brescia (author of Change Your Clothes, Change Your Life published by Simon and Schuster) with expert fashion advice that is heartfelt, entertaining, and always en vogue.

What’s Your Emergency, produced by Stage17 in association with urmee entertainment and Soffer/Namoff Entertainment, chronicles the misadventures of the inept rescue workers of Hell, Michigan (yes, this is a real place) as they attempt to run the town’s 911 Call Center, and fail at every turn. The show is directed by Michael Urie.  “What’s Your Emergency” is executive produced by Ondine Landa Abramson, and produced by Geoff Soffer and Diana Basmajian (VP of Programming, Stage17.)

The complete cast includes: Ryan Spahn, Halley Feiffer, Reed Birney, Sierra Boggess, Debra Monk, Kevin Covert, Daoud Heidami, René Houtrides, Sekou Laidlow, Erin McCarson, and Mckean Rand.

ABOUT STAGE17

STAGE17.tv is a digital platform that bridges the gap between traditional theatre and new media. We collaborate with the best of Broadway to present new stories in new ways by curating and creating scripted and unscripted, fiction and nonfiction content. Stage17 also produces and distributes digital captures of live theatrical performances to bring Broadway and Off-Broadway to theatre fans everywhere. Stage17 was founded by Chairman David Stoller (Executive Chairman of Reach4Entertainment) and President and Executive Producer Ondine Landa Abramson.

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