Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Sarah Delappe’s THE WOLVES is ferocious, stunning theater

• By drediman
• September 24, 2016
• No Comments

The company of Sarah Delappe’s “The Wolves” at Playwrights Realm

Yesterday afternoon, I was lucky enough to catch Sarah Delappe’s rightfully acclaimed stunner of a play The Wolves, courtesy of Playwrights Realm at The Duke on 42^nd Street. Over the last few seasons, Playwrights Realm has emerged as one of the go-to companies to hit up when looking to experience polished productions of some of theater’s most exciting new voices. Their production of The Wolves, ferociously directed by hot up-and-comer Lila Neugebauer, sets a new standard for the company. Ms. Delappe’s play tells the story of a women’s indoor soccer team and the warrior mentality needed to win, which many times clashes with the players’ lives as young women. Ms. Delappe’s play is written in a punchy, staccato style that I’d describe as heightened naturalism.

Ms. Neugebauer’s directorial work here calls to mind John Tiffany’s emotionally raw yet balletic Black Watch, a landmark production for the National Theatre of Scotland. There’s a bruised but magnetically defiant quality to the production that’s as much Ms. Neugebauer’s doing as it is Ms. Delappe’s writing. Like her superlative revival of A.R. Gurney’s The Wayside Motor Inn two seasons ago for Signature Theatre, Ms. Neugebauer has once again marshalled an impeccable ensemble in The Wolves. Each of the nine young actresses impressively create fully compelling individual portraits and yet weave so brilliantly – sometimes against even their own will – as part of a larger fabric. Tickets for the limited run have sold out, but if you can snag one, don’t pass it up.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

THE WOLVES
Off-Broadway, Play
Playwrights Realm at The Duke on 42^nd Street
1 hour, 30 minutes (without an intermission)
Through September 29