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New York theater has picked up its spring tempo this past week.
(There is a confused crocus somewhere in Ditmas Park, so yes, its spring.)
And in any flood, theres flotsam.
But there were a few solid things to hang onto.
First was Joe Ngo in Lauren YeesCambodian Rock Bandat Signature Theater.
Yees best inspiration comes in the overall shape of her show.
It takes a moment to get used to an acting style thats so deliberately broad.
But then Ngo goes quiet over his guitar, and you feel the devastating effect of his range.
Then a beautiful southern man, Leland (Khiry Walker), appears among them.
Id be eager to see this revival of Cleages 25-year-old play in another space.
Its the details youll want to see anyway.
And get up in that front row to see John-Andrew Morrison.
What a performance of hard-won joy!
When hes onstage, he never stops smiling or bustling or pouring drinks.
Cleage has written a richly complicated part, strong and vulnerable, bitter and light at once.
So Morrison sweeps through his scenes like a busy taffeta curtain, cleaning and brightening as he goes.
But for all that misty atmosphere, Chens text seems to have been stopped halfway through.
It feels, occasionally, like Chen has written the prospectus for a miniseries.
