What's wrong, Mr. Brantley? You sound like "a pompous professor of literature who is assigned to assess" a play. Before I could say "cynical" I knew you had missed the mark on this one!
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I haven't seen such an emotionally gripping play for a long time. I saw "Admissions" as well. Everybody has their own crisis but in "Transfers" two young gentlemen's stake is so high (as opposed to a one of a boy in prep school from upper middle class). Sadly, that might be their only chance to move out (or up) from where they were born (I hope not though). Race, class, economic gap, minority issue, social mobility...there are layers of social issues in the play.
Each character was well written, very organic and their lives were interconnected. Acting is superb, I could envision Chris and Clarence walk down the street trying not to be washed away to the dark world, trying to hang in this world. Regardless whom you back, we could experience their thrill. I was touched by characters' struggles, hardship, and resilience and I wished their good luck. And the change of sets is like magic.
Please, please go and see! It's truly worthwhile.
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This is a very moving play and is provocative on many levels. The acting is superb as is the direction. I also saw "Admissions" and as another commentator mentioned, the two cannot be conflated since the plight of students from the Bronx (the poorest country in the state) is far more fraught.
In short, and in spite of Brantley's ill-considered review, it is well worth the price of admission.
"Transfers" and "Admissions" complement one another and together raise important issues and implications regarding the college admissions 'grinder'. The former is a poignant portrait of the plight of poor students who are plagued by doubt and yet desperately aspire for a golden educational ticket out of their harsh and punishing neighborhoods. The ensemble cast is superb and makes you wholeheartedly believe in their well-defined characters. As a suggestion, Ms. Thurber might build upon the success of "Transfers" by further examining in more psychological depth how students who against all odds manage to endure and survive can sometimes sabotage their educational efforts by believing that no one can truly understand what they have gone through thereby making it impossible for them to ever feel they fit in and have become accepted. Despite rooting for him, the play left me wondering if the heavily defended and extremely defensive wrestler, Cristofer, could succeed in a world that revolves around thoughtful intellectual conversation and a strong, demanding focus on academics. It was my impression that the university Cristofer would be attending expected him to do all the heavy emotional and social-class lifting by himself.
Me too. I third the sentiment that this reviewer suffers from too much subjectivity. This is the first time in a long time that I was so invested, i forgot i was watching a play. Thats because of the richly genuine writing and a rock solid cast. I am disappointed at the brief, almost dismissive review of the two main actors. The flashier part is Cristofer. However, it also can veer off course because his nervous energy can become a crutch rather than a fully formed person whose offensive impulses are a guardrail to a very conflicted, wounded person. And this actor was at the same time volatile, warm, funny and very touching. In a way, the harder part is Clarence. In lesser hands, its Cristofers play. More than simply understated, this actor was STELLAR and completely organic, fully human and compelling from beginning to end. I actually guessed he was a Yale grad in his first scene before reading he program. Hes hat good. Best production ive seen in a while, and go like its the movies.
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Usually agree with you, but not on this one. There are vast differences between Admissions & Transfers albeit cultural ones. Transfers is an of the moment study of how students from the inner city deal with the almost impossible race for a scholarship without the prerequisite training. Thoroughly enjoyed this production and recommend highly!
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This review is so off the mark. This play is AMAZING! Run and see it!
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