Michael R. Jackson's Pulitzer Prize-winning, blisteringly funny masterwork exposes the heart and soul of a young artist grappling with desires, identity, and instincts he both loves and loathes. Hell-bent on breaking free of his own self-perception, Usher wrestles with the thoughts in his head, brought to life on stage by a hilarious, straight-shooting ensemble. Bold and heartfelt in its truth-telling, A STRANGE LOOP is the big, Black, and queer-ass Great American Musical for all.
The tricky task I face as a critic is figuring out how to write about a work whose brilliance has already been noted. The New York Times named the show a critic's pick in 2019, and I wrote briefly about the show's Broadway tryout in Washington, D.C., this fall. It's already won the Pulitzer. And yet, it seems as if there is no measure of praise that could be too much; after all, this is a show that allows a Black gay man to be vulnerable onstage without dismissing or fetishizing his trauma, desires and creative ambitions. Now that's some radical theater.
Even if it all plays out like a dramatic therapy session, there is a powerful, raw emotionality to 'A Strange Loop,' directed by Stephen Brackett, and a boppin' score with a couple memorable tunes - if not much polish or, ultimately, much satisfaction. I missed it at the much smaller Playwrights Horizons in 2019, but would've liked to have felt its effects in a more intimate room. For instance, the sound balance on Broadway is off, and it's hard to hear the lyrics over the band. Prepare your ears: The musical is also absolutely filthy. If 'Spring Awakening' or 'The Book of Mormon' had you reaching for your rosary, best bring along some holy water and frankincense for this one. On the language front, Jackson goes overboard.
2019 | Off-Broadway |
Playwrights Horizons World Premiere Off-Broadway |
2020 |
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Production |
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2022 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
2023 | West End |
West End |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2022 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Jaquel Spivey |
2022 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Awards | L Morgan Lee |
2022 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Awards | Jaquel Spivey |
2022 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Production of a Musical | A Strange Loop |
2022 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Jaquel Spivey |
2022 | Tony Awards | Best Book of a Musical | Michael R. Jackson |
2022 | Tony Awards | Best Direction of a Musical | Stephen Brackett |
2022 | Tony Awards | Best Lighting Design of a Musical | Jen Schriever |
2022 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | A Strange Loop |
2022 | Tony Awards | Best Orchestrations | Charlie Rosen |
2022 | Tony Awards | Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre | Michael R. Jackson |
2022 | Tony Awards | Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre | Michael R. Jackson |
2022 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical | John-Andrew Morrison |
2022 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical | Jaquel Spivey |
2022 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical | L Morgan Lee |
2022 | Tony Awards | Best Scenic Design of a Musical | Arnulfo Maldonado |
2022 | Tony Awards | Best Sound Design of a Musical | Drew Levy |
2021 | Theatre World Awards | Theatre World Awards | Jaquel Spivey |
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