If you’d like to be distracted from the tortures of Summer, i.e.: sun, sand, mosquitoes — do find time for these great plays:
“Quietly” by Owen McCafferty at the newly refurbished Irish Rep was a huge hit in Edinburgh (shortlisted for my Award.) I guarantee it will be here, as well. Here’s The Guardian review, which you may want to read before you run for tickets!
The marvelous Potomac Theatre Project is paying its annual visit to New York with two smart British plays — ” Good” by C.P. Taylor and “No End of Blame” by Howard Barker. “Good” concerns a man’s gradual descent into evil during the Third Reich; “No End of Blame” is described as a morally ambiguous play about free speech. Don’t they both sound delicious?
Tickets may be in short supply, but do what you must for tickets to “Golem,” part of the Lincoln Center Festival. You may remember 1927’s first piece, “Between the Devil and the Deep blue Sea”, when it played in NY (my 2007 Award winner) and received a Drama Desk nomination. Here’s the ecstatic Telegraph review of the Young Vic’s production of “Golem.”
Next to be rediscovered by the Mint is “A Day by the Sea” by N.C. Hunter, reputed to be an “English Chekhov.” It will be directed by the multi-talented Austin Pendleton.
For new writing, I’m looking at “Men On Boats” at Playwrights Horizons. I missed it when it was a hit of Clubbed Thumb’s Summerworks program, but I won’t be missing it again. I’ve been told to look for the men!
Playing at Second Stage Uptown is “Engagements” by Lucy Teitler. Here’sa review from its world premiere at Barrington Stage.
Also at Second Stage, will be “Layover” by Leslye Headland, whose “Bachlorette” was uproariously memorable.
“Butler”, a Civil War period piece by Richard Strand, will be coming to 59e59. This New York Times review of its New Jersey world premiere calls it, in a word, “splendid.”
If you missed “Small Mouth Sounds” when it ran at Ars Nova last year — don’t allow this short reprise to pass you by. It’s very few words are by Bess Wohl (it takes place at a silent retreat), masterfully directed by Rachel Chavkin — it’s a joy!
I hope I’ve suggested enough to fill your Summer’s dance card. If not, please visit the Festival Fringe in August — I’ll have many more for you. Just email — I’d love to see you there!
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.