After having read "Our Lady" some 15 years ago, I thought there were one or two standout scenes amidst a lot of fairly monotonous interactions with characters I didn't much care about - as I often find to be the case in his work. Upon seeing this current revival, I cannot fault the production as a whole, but the play was all the more exposed to me as a thin work. I am well aware that this is intended to be a character driven and not a plot driven play, which actually are the types of plays I often prefer; except that there is little character development here, with laugh lines taking precedence over depth of character. We learn surface aspects of most of the characters, maybe with a speech thrown in intended to give the illusion of dimension that simply is not there. The result of this production for me was simply exposing all the more this play for what it really is; a string of scenes, some more interesting than others, but bereft of maturity and real dramatic weight.
Hellish yes but this play is funny as. . .
The first act almost seems to take the form of comic blackouts around the themes Jesse Green so ably describes. And this cast masterfully draws the poignancy that comes from a the comedy of the human condition and the specific circumstances this group of compelling characters find out themselves in.
The crtic's right: the staging is a little clunky. But the author's ear for vulgar music and the cast's playing will get you through this evening just fine.
1
This soooo reminded me of the landmark Steppenwolf production in the 80s of "Balm in Gilead". The characters were so, umm should I say colorful?, that it was a riot especially for a play whose mcguffin is a body stolen during a wake. (That's not a spoiler, btw, it comes out in the opening moments.)
A fringe benefit was feeling the aging demographic of the audience cringe during an unrelenting exposure to this urban street life. I respect that Signature ignores this and keeps producing the writers they believe in.
I felt the design aspects left a lot to be desired. The set elements were spread out across the radio city width stage, and conversations were inconceivably spread out. The otherwise great direction should have acknoledged and dealt with this. But a minor caveat, after all.
I so look forward to plays of Mr. Guirgis and "Our Lady" was no exception. The First Act introduction of characters and plot were absolutely brilliant. Unfortunately, Act II felt truncated with characters simply left without resolution, just floating away off stage or into a stage lighting going black. Sorry, this work needs a re-write and despite all of this, I would see "Our Lady of 121st Street" again just as it is because Guirgis' characters are so damn alive....funny, tragic and real.
3
No playwright writes dialogue as scintillatingly as Mr. Guirgis does. I have seen three of his plays, including this one, and always enjoy the back and forth among his characters. Even when I have not been thrilled with how the plays have ended, I have enjoyed spending time with his colorful characters.
As the review mentions, the costumes are perfect.
2
I enjoyed this play very much and laughed out loud several times. As Mr. Green points out it is not a perfect play but it is very, very good. One little nitpick with the review, the character Vic was not a student of Sr. Rose's he was a friend since childhood. They knew each other since they were 6 years old and I definitely got the feeling that he was in love with her.
4
This is a VERY funny play. It is also dark and despairing about we humans. While the abrupt ending came as a complete surprise when it happened, I don’t know how else one would end a play like this. I also saw and thoroughly enjoyed “Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train”, so, thank you, Mr. Guirgis and Signature Theater, for TWO great nights at the theater in the last year.
5
I cannot stop thinking about this play.
The SOUND of it. The rhythm of the sentences riffed together like a jazz string quartet for twelve actors.
Ms. Rashad has put together an ensemble so in sync with the script and with each other that everything else I've seen this season pales in comparison.
Bravo.
7