"A Strange Loop" at Lyceum Theatre

 Another day, another Pulitzer Prize-winning play. This one, A Strange Loop, by Michael R. Jackson, is definitely different from the rest, if only because of being a musical. But we had wanted to see this ever since it took Broadway by storm and also won some Tony Awards, so it was definitely something to see.

The Play

Nothing complicated here: it's a musical about a queer, black man stuck in a job as a Disney theater usher who is writing a musical about a queer, black man writing a musical about a queer, black man writing a musical.... Which is a strange loop (or as we call it in my line of work, and infinite recursion). Usher (which is both the name and the job title of the main character) is having difficulty writing, as he is continuously blocked by Thoughts. Six of these Thoughts are personified by the other six actors in the show, and they variously portray all his hopes, fears, fantasies, and family.

So in addition to being a pretty straightforward story about a young writer trying to create something worthwhile and break into show business, it's also an exploration of Otherness, as various of Usher's attributes keep him from fitting in with what would otherwise be his peer groups. Usher is outside the mainstream in so many different dimensions that it is really difficult for him to connect, though he wants to do so desperately.

That means there is a dialogue going on between Usher's self-acceptance and his acceptance by others, and naturally, there are Thoughts.

Overall I found the play clever and touching, but it eventually got a bit too focused on a note or two (to the point that one of the Thoughts interrupts and indicates that it's too much of gospel parodies and Tyler Perry jabs).

The Production

The production was solid. Clearly the show hinges on the performer playing Usher, and the night we saw the show that was an understudy (Kyle Ramar Freeman). He was very good, and meshed well with the cast. Two of the Thoughts (2 and 6) were also understudies for our performance, but again, it all blended smoothly enough that I didn't notice anything amiss.

The set is fairly simple and bright, enabling us to focus on Usher and his Thoughts. The opening number is really solid, and sets up for a lot more to come, but the energy wanes a bit later on. Still, I was engaged and entertained throughout.

Bottom Line

I'm glad we got to see this show. It is genuinely different from anything else playing on Broadway, and its quite remarkable that it made it to Broadway at all. Perhaps there is hope yet.

Right after we saw the show, they announced that the production will close on January 15, 2023, so you can still see it for a couple more months, and I suggest it's worth it.